BJP alleges rigging, calls for fresh zoo expansion tender

Mumbai: Less than a month after the BJP took over the BMC and corporators were elected, allegations of corruption in tenders have started. The BJP has alleged rigging in the Rs 490-crore tender for the expansion of Byculla Zoo. Mumbai BJP chief MLA Ameet Satam has written to Mayor Ritu Tawde and municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, asking them to issue a global tender for phase III expansion of Byculla Zoo. Satam alleged there are ‘attempts to rig this tender by incorporating certain conditions that appear suited to specific contractors to allow contractors involved in bridges, roads, and SWD works to qualify for this tender instead of international companies'.
Officials said the BMC is drafting a new tender to expand Byculla Zoo to include a new 10-acre "exotic zone," featuring over 20 species such as jaguars, white lions, cheetahs, pumas, and meerkats. Officials said as part of the Rs 490-crore revamp, this phase III expansion will include theme-based, immersive, and conservation-focused habitats for animals and birds from across the world. "There are attempts to rig this tender by incorporating certain conditions that appear suited to specific contractors. This is to allow BMC contractors involved in bridges, roads, and SWD works to qualify for this tender on the grounds that it includes civil work," said Satam. He said creating an exotic animal zone is highly specialized work requiring specific expertise, and regular BMC contractors are adequately equipped to undertake such a project. "Therefore, the BMC should issue a global tender for this project, allowing international companies with relevant expertise to bid at competitive rates to create one of the finest exotic animal exhibits in Asia. This would enable a skilled international company, or a national company with prior experience in similar projects, to undertake this specialized work," said Satam. Gagrani did not respond to a query from TOI. However, a senior official said the tender was in the draft stage and some conditions in the tender, like having experience of constructing bridges and flyovers in Mumbai were out of place and restrictive. However, so far, the BMC has not taken a decision to float a global tender to allow reputed companies that have experience of constructing and operating zoos to participate. The Byculla zoo tenders have been marred by allegations of rigging and cartelization for close to a decade now. Almost every tender floated by the BMC related to the zoo has turned controversial.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !