Appointment of PMC for the construction of a new 910 MLD water treatment plant at Panjrapur, runs into trouble in BMC Standing Committee

Mumbai: The appointment of a Project Management Consultant (PMC) for the construction of a new 910 MLD water treatment plant at Panjrapur, being executed by Welspun, ran into trouble in the BMC Standing Committee on Tuesday after the proposal was not taken up for approval. Members questioned the need to appoint PMCs for every civic project and also sought to know why a particular firm was being favoured for the role.

According to the civic administration, Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), which had worked as the technical consultant for the project, expressed willingness to also serve as the PMC. The administration said the firm had extensive experience in providing consultancy services for water supply and wastewater projects and had successfully completed PMC assignments for several major projects. It further stated that TCE possessed a thorough understanding of the project terms and conditions, and had also offered a concession in the consultancy fee.

Congress member Ashraf Azmi questioned the administration for not inviting tenders and for failing to provide adequate justification for favouring TCE. Azmi pointed out that the DPR for the project had been prepared by TCE and that the same firm was now being considered for the PMC role.

“Earlier, the BMC had imposed a condition in the Gargai project that a firm carrying out primary consultancy work would not be appointed as PMC. However, the same condition has not been imposed in this case,” Azmi said. He also questioned how the BMC could tighten conditions after the pre-bid meeting of the original Panjrapur project.

Azmi further alleged that the tender awarded to Welspun for the Panjrapur project was inflated. In a letter to the Municipal Commissioner, he claimed that a significant number of consultancy assignments and project-related works appeared to have been repeatedly entrusted to TCE. He also referred to conditions imposed in water supply projects that allegedly favoured a French company.

Shiv Sena member Amey Ghole alleged that a contractor cartel was operating in civic projects, while Shiv Sena (UBT) member Yashodhar Phanse questioned the need for appointing consultants when the civic administration itself had substantial experience in executing water projects.