AMC gives nod for Rs67.5 crore contract for elevated corridor

The proposed elevated corridor from Gujarat College to Swami Vivekanand Bridge will cost Rs67.54 crore.

The tender for the around 1km long and three-lane corridor got a nod from the AMC's standing committee, amidst opposition from the Congress. The Congress opposed the move by raising a question against the tender process.

The over-bridge on the BRTS route is expected to be completed within 20 months, i.e. by May 2012. The contractor will use high-technology hydraulic pilling ring for pile foundation work. The over-bridge is expected to ease traffic on Ashram Road, and will provide better transportation facilities to people commuting from the western part of Ahmedabad to the eastern, said Bhupendra Patel, chairman of AMC's standing committee.

The proposal was passed by the ruling party - the BJP - with a majority, as the Congress opposed the move. The Congress smelled a rat in the tender process.

The contractor who has been awarded the contract had quoted the highest price, but by way of modified bid, he emerged as the lowest bidder, said Surendra Baxi, a Congress member in the standing committee. "How could a contractor lower his bid from 21.99% higher than the estimated price to just 9.51% higher?" asked Baxi.

Although the AMC officials tried to clarify that there is a provision of submitting modified tenders after opening up technical qualification bid and ahead of the opening price bid, the Congress leveled charges of corruption in the tender process.