MANDI: A tender floated by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) for constructing a safety wall along the Beas river downstream of the Pandoh Dam has drawn widespread public attention and concern.
The Rs 11-crore project has been awarded to a contractor from Una for just Rs 6.95 crore – approximately 37 per cent below the estimated cost – raising serious questions about the feasibility and quality of the work.
Even before the project has taken off, murmurs of discontent have begun to surface across Pandoh and nearby regions. Residents are questioning how such a major project can be executed at such a low cost without compromising the structural integrity and overall quality of the construction.
Demand for transparency and accountability
Local panchayat leaders Amra Thakur (pradhan, Tandi), Geeta Devi (pradhan, Pandoh), Veena Mahant (pradhan, Syog) and Bhushan Kumar (pradhan, Jagar) have voiced their concern, describing the significantly low bid as “alarming.”
They highlighted that the safety wall is part of a crucial first phase of infrastructure meant to protect the region from natural calamities like the one faced in 2023.
“The area has suffered greatly in the past due to floods. This safety wall is a much-needed protective measure. But how can quality be assured when the contractor is taking on the project at such a massive loss?” they asked in a joint statement. They demanded that the BBMB either guarantee quality work or immediately cancel the tender and initiate a fresh process.
BBMB says review underway, action likely if doubts persist
When contacted, BBMB Superintending Engineer Ajay Pal Singh confirmed that five contractors had submitted bids and the lowest – from the Una-based contractor – stood at Rs 6.95 crore.
He assured that the contractor would be held accountable to meet all the prescribed terms and conditions.
“The contractor will be required to provide a written commitment to uphold all quality standards. The matter is under review by the committee constituted for this purpose. If any discrepancy or concern is found, the committee reserves the right to cancel the tender and reissue it,” Singh stated.
He further added that the contractor’s security deposit of Rs 22 lakh could also be forfeited if any rules are violated or the quality is compromised.
Munish Sood
