Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 26: In a very rare of rarest instance of nepotism, a major project worth Rs 150 cr is likely to be allotted to sitting PDP MLA and former minister's son, against single bid.
"Aerial Passenger Ropeway System Patnitop work is likely to be allotted against single bid to a Kashmir based firm which belongs to son of a PDP MLA, and a former minister", sources said, adding that Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) has forward the single bid proposal to state government for its nod.
"The firm having technical collaboration with a foreign company is likely to get the project on Built-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis", sources said, and added that earlier the work the was allotted to Hyderabad-based company on an estimated cost of Rs 50 crores.
"But the contract was terminated by the PDA, over escalated cost of Rs 10 crores, in December 2015", they added and added that first section is from Kud near KM 99 of NH1A to Sangote village having length of 1282 meters and the second from Sangote to Patnitop near Hotel Vardhan having length of 2619 meters.
"Out of Rs 150 crores, an amount of around Rs 60 crore would be spent on the Aerial Ropeway and remaining for construction of allied works and necessary infrastructure", sources said, and added that the Hyderabad based company had proposed estimated cost of project Rs 60 crores too.
Sources further said that according to terms and conditions the company would hold concession period of 35 years, and which further might be extendable by additional 10 years subject to agreement on revised terms between the concessionaire and PDA.
They further alleged that the earlier contract was with Hyderabad based firm. It was terminated under pressure from the then Minister. "Paradoxically, on same amount as purposed by another firm, against single bid the work being allotted to firm owned by MLA's son has exposed the system", they added.
"However, the land at all terminals has been acquired by the PDA would be rented/leased out in favour of the bidder on Built, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis", they added.
It is pertinent to mention here that Patnitop aerial ropeway was a dream project of former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. It has been hanging in balance for more than a decade. |
