Underpass of confusion

Underpass of confusion
Deccan Herald

It is to be noted that the consultants who provided the “design bill contract” when the tenders were called for the project are nowhere in the picture now.

The Malleswaram underpass: Who designed it? Who is approving it? Who will see to its execution?

Do these questions hold the answers to some of the questions the residents of Malleswaram have raised against the project - Lack of road width to accommodate an underpass or sharp right turn at Link Road junction or the re-location of a bus stop?

It is to be noted that the consultants who provided the “design bill contract” when the tenders were called for the project are nowhere in the picture now. Construma - the Mumbai-based consultant group, pulled out of the project a few months ago, just after the tenders for the project were evaluated. Reportedly, Construma had no other project in Bangalore and was therefore not willing to set up a work office in Bangalore just for one project.

When contacted, a source who is experienced in the execution of infrastructure projects, said that “designers have to be locally available for project execution”.

Another source echoed this, saying, “it is better if the consultant is around when the design is taken to its logical conclusion.” Both these sources however noted that the BMP is not duty-bound to latch on to the same consultant and that it has powers to throw out a consultant on grounds of non-performance and other things.

Controversy

In the thick of the controversy over the last two to three weeks, officials have mentioned Manasa Consultants as the consultants for the project.

At a press conference on Friday, Mayor Mumtaz Begum too mentioned the Manasa group as the consultants for the project. Sources however noted that Manasa Consultants are being roped in only to manage the project; and that the structural approval of the design is being done by another group - “Nagesh Consultants.”

What does it mean? The structural approval of the underpass for which the ‘design bill contract’ (rough sketch, in lay parlance) was provided by Construma, will be done by “Nagesh Consultants”.

The project managers (Manasa Consultants), will manage the affairs depending on the suggestion and approval given by “Nagesh Consultants”. Sources said that ideally, structural approval and project management should be done by the party which provides the ‘design bill contract’.

Meanwhile, for the contractors - East Coast Constructions India Pvt Limited, the structural design (based on the “design bill contract”) was done by the Bangalore-based Stup Consultants. It is learnt that the BMP is yet to sign the agreement on paper with Nagesh Consultants and Manasa Consultants.