PWD spoiling development scenario of the Poonch district with poor quality works; Contractors applying for works on low rates
POONCH TODAY NEWS
POONCH: Horrible state of affairs in PWD division Poonch is a clear indication that the department is keen to spoil the development scenario of the district by encouraging contractors to opt for work at low rates. There is no check on Contractors who are hell bent to destroy everything by applying for work on e-tendering on low rates, thereby openly violating the laid down norms on various works. Imagine, if a Contractor wins a tender of Rs 39 lac on a low rate of Rs 14 lac, then what is expected from him of doing a work as per merit. A work namely Safety/Beautification of Betar Bridge over Betar Nalah at Poonch was put to tender vide e-NIT no 207/2021-22 dated 06-11-2021 at an estimated cost of Rs 39.17 lacs and the same was won by a Contractor on a low rate of Rs 14 lacs. Is it possible for a Contractor to complete the work at this low rate of Rs 14 lac when Rs 894755.40 is fixed only for providing and laying in position cement concrete of specified grade including curing but excluding the cost of centering and shuttering and Rs 648906.00 for providing, hoisting and fixing up to floor five level precast reinforced cement concrete work in string curses, bands, copings, bed plates, anchor blocks, plain windows sills and the like, including setting in position in cement mortar 1:3 including the cost of required centering, shuttering and curing but excluding cost of reinforcement. These are two major item descriptions amounting to more than Rs 14 lacs and eight other items amounting to nearly Rs 25 lacs. Betar bridge is the lifeline of Poonch city from security point of view and allowing compromising quality of work on the said bridge would be a huge blunder on part of the PWD department in addition to hurting the sentiments of the people of Poonch. Now, the question arises, are PWD officials and Contractors hoodwinking the people of Poonch openly? Will they execute the work on the ground or shall pass the bill without executing it on the ground? Is it possible for a Contractor to fulfill all the requirements mentioned in the tender in just Rs 14 lacs. Similarly, a poor quality blacktopping work has been exposed, the other day, on social media, in which it was clearly seen that the poor quality blacktopping work was done on Dara Dullian to Dharati road in Mankote area of Mendhar tehsil and this horrible quality work on the said road shows that few tainted officials in PWD division Poonch have taken everything for granted. A high level inquiry is needed from government to identify all the black sheep’s who are spoiling the development prospects of the district by encouraging the Contactors to take work on low rates and openly compromise with quality with a sole agenda of murdering the government exchequer.
