Wider drains to wash away 26/7 woes

The civic body has decided to initiate large scale works for widening and training of various nullahs at 27 different places in the city. The work, which will increase the water retention capacity of the storm water drain network (swd), will be undertaken as a part of the Centre-funded Rs1200 crore Brimstowad project.

On Wednesday, BMC’s standing committee cleared the proposal for works on three nullah systems in the city — seven in the western suburbs and 11 in the eastern suburbs, collectively costing Rs961.18 crore.

The Brimstowad project, expected to be completed in 2011, will include rehabilitation of old swd network, widening and deepening of 102 kms of nullah systems and setting up pumping stations at eight places. The project is expected to increase the water holding capacity of the drains by 50 per cent.

Assigning it top priority, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed to sponsor the entire capital cost for the project, the Centre has till date released Rs400 crore as first installment.

After holding up the clearance of the proposal for two weeks, quoting issues on tender conditions, the standing committee finally gave its approval on Wednesday.

The Congress especially had objected to a performance guarantee clause in the tender condition that required contractors to pay 10 per cent bank guarantee apart from the mandatory security deposit and retention money.

Congress leader Rajhans Singh said most sites were encroached and pending their removal, the contractors could drag BMC to court over legal compensation.