SMC approves Rs 32 crore purchase order

Marking a return to the heavy purchasing season, the standing committee of the Surat Municipal Corporation, on Thursday, approved the purchase of metal pipes and steel, worth Rs 32.30 crore, which would be used to complete the water supply network and various construction projects.

SMC supplies drinking water in the city through an extensive supply network. With the city expanding fast, SMC too has to constantly expand it's supply network. SMC had recently announced that it would soon be providing 24-hour drinking water in the city. For this, the present water supply needs proper strengthening and upgrading.

The standing committee has approved purchase of metal pipes worth Rs 21.50 crore to upgrade the supply system. Shankar Chevli, chairman, standing committee said that SMC would be acquiring pipes, ranging from 100 mm to 600 mm in diameter soon.

These pipes would be utilised for various projects spread across all zones of the corporation, he said.

Chevli said that out of the total purchase, pipes worth Rs 13.81 crore would be acquired from the Kolkata-based Electro Steel Castings Co, while the remaining would be acquired from the Chennai-based Lenka Industries Ltd.

The standing committee also approved purchase of 3,600 metric tonne of steel. Chevli said, "SMC regularly requires steel for various projects that are constantly going on all over the city. We have approved purchase of 3600 metric tonne of steel of thickness, ranging from 6 mm to 20 mm, which would be utilised in different construction projects. The quantity of steel will be purchased for a total cost of Rs 10.80 crore," he said.