The tender could go to Gammon India, which had been in the centre of the Metro pillar collapse controversy
The tender could go to Gammon India, which had been in the centre of the Metro pillar collapse controversy
The Delhi government's showpiece project, the Wazirabd Signature Bridge, is in the news again. The decision on the construction of the bridge will be taken within the next few days.
Highly placed sources in the government told MiD DAY there was a difference of around Rs 80 crore between the estimated cost and the figure quoted by the lowest bidder. 
Model of Wazirabad Signature Bridge
"Therefore, the Delhi government is most likely to take a decision on the matter in the next cabinet meeting, which can take place anytime in the coming week," the source said.u00a0
A top official said the "infamous contractor" Gammon India is likely to bag the contract, as it is the lowest bidder. Meanwhile, PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan could not be contacted despite several attempts.
The tender for the project was opened on April 20, 2009. The consortium of Gammon India Pvt Ltd and an Italian firm - Gammon contrutora Cidacle Tensaccial - had reportedly bid the lowest at Rs 631.81 crore. While Larson and Toubro's consortium - L&T Archirodon - had reportedly quoted Rs 8 lakh more than Gammon consortium at Rs 638.62 crore.
Official sources said after the Jamrudpur mishap in 2009, in which six people were killed, the Delhi government had sought the Central Vigilance Commission's (CVC) view on whether to offer the contract to Gammon or L&T, due to the impending enquiry by Delhi Metro against the lowest bidder.
The total budget for the six-lane project stands at Rs 980 crore. The project will be executed in two parts; first
the approach roads leading to the bridge will be built and the secondly, the Signature Bridge itself will be constructed. "Gammon India Limited has already been doing approach road project for which contract has been awarded for Rs 350 crore. The project is slated to be completed by 2011," the official said.
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Gammon India came under public scrutiny after the Jamrudpur mishap on Central Secretariat- Badarpur Line in which six people were killed last year.
The Delhi Metro had slapped notice on Gammon India asking why it should not be blacklisted for two years after the incident. Whether the contractor has been blacklisted or not is however still unknown.
The company was reportedly found guilty of negligence in a similar mishap in 2007, when a flyover in Hyderabad collapsed and killed two people.
Gammon India has been associated with various projects abroad apart from domestic ones.
Its overseas projects include the terminal building at the Sharjah International Airport, construction of more than 20 bridges in Nepal and power substations in Abu Dhabi.
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