High cost forces Chhattisgarh to float fresh tender for secretariat project

The Chhattisgarh government has decided to float open tender for the construction of secretariat building in the proposed new capital of the state following high rates quoted by the companies selected earlier for the work.

According to highly placed sources, the Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA) proposed a budget of Rs 125 crore for the new secretariat building in the new capital that would come up about 20 kms from the existing capital.

However, the five companies qualified earlier to participate in the bid had quoted much higher price than the one estimated by the authority.

Sources said the lowest rate was Rs 246 crore""about double the rate fixed by the government.

Following the difference in cost, the authority cancelled the earlier tender.

NRDA floated the open tender for the new secretariat building after changing some clauses mentioned in the norms.

Sources said the five companies that had qualified earlier could participate in the open tender subject to the condition that they had to compete in open with the other companies.

Under the norms, the companies having turn over of more than Rs 75 crore and had an experience of constructing in more than 50,000 square feet area could participate in the fresh bid. According to a senior official engaged with the capital project, the five big companies selected earlier tried to take advantage of its short-listing and quoted much higher rates that was not in proportion with the estimated project cost.

The five companies of national repute were selected on qualify basis as the government wanted major and established players to come forward for giving shape to the new capital that would be at par with world-class city.