MUMBAI: As the BMC is yet to decide on scrapping tenders for construction of new animal enclosures at the Byculla zoo where there is a Rs 106 crore cost escalation, the BJP has filed a complaint with the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) seeking a probe.
Last month, the BMC had sought an explanation from Byculla zoo officials and its Building Maintenance (BM) department after bids for construction of the new set of animal enclosures at Byculla zoo shot a massive Rs 106 crore above the BMC’s estimates and only two companies submitted bids.
In a complaint filed by BJP corporator Vinod Mishra with the EOW through lawyer Komal Kandharkar, the BJP has alleged there was cartelisation and rigging of tenders.
The BMC had recently floated two tenders — one for construction of new animal enclosures for Black Jaguar, Cheetah, White Lion, Wallaby, Chimpanzee, Ring Tail Lemur, Mandrill Monkey and Lesser Flamingo; and the other for constructing exhibits for the Hippo, African Savanna, Emu, and a bird aviary. These new enclosures are to be constructed on and received from the Poddar and Mafatlal Mills adjacent to the Byculla zoo. While the tenders were estimated to cost Rs 91 crore and Rs 94 crore, the two companies bid Rs 146 crore and Rs 145 crore, respectively — an escalation of around Rs 106 crore.
“We have shared details of both the companies and have asked the EOW to file a case of criminal breach of trust as despite the companies quoting 15% above the estimate, the BMC is not scrapping the tenders. We have asked EOW to take cognisance of the complaint and register an FIR,” Mishra said. BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha, too, had demanded that the tenders be scrapped.
“The BMC is dragging its feet on the complaint and protecting officials who seem to be working for the private companies. I will move the HC if the tenders are not scrapped,” Kotecha said.
