LMC e-tendering knocks out musclemen

Finally, the Lucknow Municipal Cororation has clipped the wings of contractors who flex muscles to bag the civic body’s lucrative contracts.

The e-tendering process that the LMC has adopted has not only cut to size these contractors but has also brought financial dividends for the civic body.

Recently, the LMC had invited tenders for projects of over Rs 200 crore. The LMC bosses are surprised to receive tenders at 15% less than estimated rates fixed.

With less rates quoted by contractors, the LMC is all set to gain Rs 25-30 crore from the e-tendering process.

“The LMC has invited tenders through the e-tendering process. Officials are surprised to receive tenders at quotations less than that expected. As such the civic body will gain around Rs 25 to 30 crore,” said an LMC official.

Most of the tenders have been received at 10% to 15% less quotations, he added.

“Another fallout of the e-tendering process is that contractors who bagged contracts through muscle power have been left out in this new tendering process,” added the official.

At the LMC, it used to be a cake-walk for these contractors to bag contracts by influencing some officials.

“Now, these so called ‘influential’ contractors are aghast. Earlier, they quoted high rates and bagged contracts. However, the e-tendering process has worked wonders for the civic body,” said an LMC official.

The LMC had received more than 2,000 tenders for 571 projects. Out of this, 200 tenders have been opened.

“The LMC is set to gain a substantial amount from the e-tendering process. The amount saved will be used in constructing roads,” said SK Ambedkar, chief engineer, LMC.

He also assured proper quality check of projects to be executed.

After the BJP government came to power in the state, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has laid emphasis on e-tendering process.

The chief minister has issued directives that all tenders would be invited through e-tendering process in all departments.

Even in KGMU, all tenders would be invited through e-tendering, ending clout of influential lobbies.