Concerns Emerge Over Beas River Safety Wall Tender in Mandi

Public Outcry Over Tender Award

In Mandi, a tender issued by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) for the construction of a safety wall along the Beas River downstream of the Pandoh Dam has sparked significant public concern.

The project, estimated at Rs 11 crore, has been awarded to a contractor from Una for only Rs 6.95 crore, which is nearly 37% below the projected cost, raising doubts about the project's feasibility and quality.

Community Voices Concerns

Even before the project has commenced, residents of Pandoh and surrounding areas are expressing their worries about how such a critical infrastructure project can be completed at such a low cost without risking the quality and safety of the construction.

Local panchayat leaders, including Amra Thakur (Tandi), Geeta Devi (Pandoh), Veena Mahant (Syog), and Bhushan Kumar (Jagar), have labeled the low bid as 'alarming.'

They emphasized that the safety wall is essential for protecting the region from natural disasters, particularly following the severe floods experienced in 2023.

In a joint statement, they questioned, 'How can we ensure quality when the contractor is undertaking the project at such a significant loss?' They urged the BBMB to either ensure quality work or cancel the tender and start anew.

BBMB Responds to Concerns

BBMB Superintending Engineer Ajay Pal Singh confirmed that five contractors had submitted bids, with the lowest being from the Una contractor at Rs 6.95 crore.

He reassured that the contractor would be held accountable for adhering to all specified terms and conditions.

'The contractor must provide a written assurance to maintain all quality standards. The situation is currently under review by a designated committee. Should any issues arise, the committee has the authority to cancel the tender and reissue it,' Singh stated.

He also mentioned that the contractor's security deposit of Rs 22 lakh could be forfeited if any regulations are breached or if quality standards are not met.

Conclusion

The community remains vigilant as they await further developments regarding the safety wall project, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in public works.