Fresh Controversy Erupts Over GMADA's ₹790 Crore Mohali Tender
The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) finds itself embroiled in a significant controversy surrounding its ambitious ₹790 crore Mohali Next Generation Programme tender. The legal battle has intensified as the GMADA Contractors Association and other petitioners have brought the matter before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, raising serious procedural concerns.
Allegations of Hasty Procedures and Holiday Office Operations
According to the petitioners, GMADA demonstrated unusual urgency by opening its offices on a holiday—specifically Sunday, February 1—to issue a document postponing the tender opening. The original tender was scheduled to be opened on February 2 at 12 noon, but has now been rescheduled for February 16 following this unexpected Sunday activity.
The contractors' association alleges this move was strategically timed after they approached the high court with their grievances about the tender process. "Today was the date of our hearing, and it was then that we came to know about this document," revealed Harshdeep Singh Sra, president of the GMADA Contractors Association.
Core Issue: Absence of Detailed Project Report
At the heart of the controversy lies the allegation that GMADA floated the original tenders without preparing a mandatory Detailed Project Report (DPR). The petitioners claim this fundamental document, crucial for transparent and accountable project planning, was conspicuously absent when the tenders were initially issued.
The association members contend that by postponing the tender date, GMADA now intends to prepare the DPR during the interim period. "This is precisely why the office was opened on a holiday on February 1, and the tender date was deferred," they asserted in their court submissions.
Legal Timeline and Government Allegations
The high court has fixed the next hearing date for February 14, while GMADA has scheduled the new tender opening for February 16—creating a tight legal timeline. Sra confirmed they would bring all these developments to the court's attention during the upcoming proceedings.
Beyond procedural issues, the contractors' association has raised more serious allegations about the tender's broader implications. Sra reiterated their position that through GMADA, the Punjab government is issuing such mega tenders to effectively sideline local contractors.
"No contractor in Punjab has the capacity to bid for such massive tenders," Sra claimed. "This is being done at the behest of the Centre, which will ruin Punjab-based contractors and ensure that only big corporate houses remain eligible." He further alleged that these moves are preparing the ground for large-scale irregularities in the bidding process.
Broader Implications for Development Projects
The controversy highlights several critical issues in public infrastructure development:
- The importance of proper DPR preparation before tender issuance
- Transparency in government procurement processes
- The balance between large-scale projects and local contractor participation
- Procedural compliance in administrative actions
As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes remain on how the Punjab and Haryana High Court will address these serious allegations against one of Punjab's key development authorities. The outcome could set important precedents for how mega infrastructure projects are tendered and implemented across the region.
