BRIMSTOWAD churns up a stormy financial weather

The Brihanmumbai Stormwater Disposal System (BRIMSTOWAD) project is costing the BMC dearly, thanks to changes in technology after the contract for the undertaking was given to the corporation.

“Since the BRIMSTOWAD project is one of the committed liabilities on major capital works, it could not be dropped, but certainly the changes could be avoided to keep losses under control,” said Subodh Kumar, municipal commissioner.
Last year itself, Kumar had made it clear that such changes could be best avoided, as the corporation would lose the benefit of competitive bidding and changed items are executed on fair-item rates.

“All such contracts have been reviewed, and I have issued specific information that variations in the ongoing contract should not be resorted to as a regular feature for any reason. And the cost of the project works shall be restricted to the originally approved contract cost,” the commissioner added.

Kumar made it clear that if the work as per the original scope of the contract was completed within the approved cost, such a contract would be closed forthwith even if there was some saving in the total cost.

Additional works, if any, would be taken up by invitation of fresh tenders. Certain contracts for SWD works were closed last year. The commissioner said he has done this to ensure financial as well as budgetary discipline, which will continue to be observed in the future.