The appointment of a Project Management Consultant (PMC) for the construction of a new 910 MLD water treatment plant at Panjrapur, being executed by Welspun, encountered hurdles in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Standing Committee on Tuesday after the proposal was not taken up for approval. Members questioned the necessity of appointing PMCs for every civic project and sought clarification on why a particular firm was being favored for the role.
Administration's Stance on Tata Consulting Engineers
According to the civic administration, Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), which had served as the technical consultant for the project, expressed willingness to also function as the PMC. The administration highlighted that TCE had extensive experience in providing consultancy services for water supply and wastewater projects and had successfully completed PMC assignments for several major initiatives. It further stated that TCE possessed a thorough understanding of the project terms and conditions and had offered a concession in the consultancy fee.
Opposition from Committee Members
Congress member Ashraf Azmi criticized the administration for not inviting tenders and for failing to provide adequate justification for favoring TCE. Azmi pointed out that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project had been prepared by TCE and that the same firm was now being considered for the PMC role. He remarked, “Earlier, the BMC had imposed a condition in the Gargai project that a firm carrying out primary consultancy work would not be appointed as PMC. However, the same condition has not been imposed in this case.” He also questioned how the BMC could tighten conditions after the pre-bid meeting of the original Panjrapur project.
Azmi further alleged that the tender awarded to Welspun for the Panjrapur project was inflated. In a letter to the Municipal Commissioner, he claimed that a significant number of consultancy assignments and project-related works appeared to have been repeatedly entrusted to TCE. He also referred to conditions imposed in water supply projects that allegedly favored a French company.
Shiv Sena member Amey Ghole alleged that a contractor cartel was operating in civic projects, while Shiv Sena (UBT) member Yashodhar Phanse questioned the need for appointing consultants when the civic administration itself had substantial experience in executing water projects.
