Mumbai: BMC Issues 900 Tenders Worth INR 150 Crore In 10 Days

Next month, the fiscal year 2023-24 will conclude. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is keeping this in mind and working quickly. The municipal corporation has invited around 900 proposals worth more than INR 150 crore. These tenders are related with a variety of projects spanning multiple wards. The average cost of each tender is between INR 15 lakh and INR 18 lakh.

The rush reflects the seriousness with which the civic officials are working prior to the announcement of election dates. In just ten days, 940 tenders totaling roughly INR 150 crore were issued, with 292 of them being extended for projects in Malad and Kandivli.

According to civic records, these tenders are for work such as creating walkways in slum regions, restoring toilet blocks, mending footpaths, refurbishing gardens, installing gymnasium equipment, and other slum-related projects.

According to a municipal corporation official, these tender requests are for local ward-level initiatives. Since funds have been set aside for these projects in the current budget, there is an urgent need to begin them within the fiscal year. Administrative approval must be sought within the fiscal year, even if the activity is not initiated immediately. Post-approval work may begin even after the fiscal year closes.

March is the last month of the fiscal year, and the number of bids issued typically increases around this time. The civic official explained that there is a rush to obtain administrative approval for projects. The BMC official stated that with the upcoming elections, some tenders, primarily for civil works, may witness a modest increase.

Legislators push for starting projects in their districts before implementing the code of conduct. The civic body official stated that March is a month with a high number of tenders for local civil projects.

The Mumbai civic body released data indicating that the highest tender, worth INR 22 and INR 23 crore, was issued for the R Southward. This includes the Kandivli region. 142 tenders, worth between INR 17 and INR 20 crore, were extended in the Malad area of P North. 92 tenders, worth between INR 16 and INR 18 crore, were issued for the N ward in the Ghatkopar region.