Standing Panel To Probe Underbids In Cement Rd Works The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s standing committee has directed a thorough investigation into cement concrete (CC) road projects awarded at 30% to 40% below the estimated cost. The decision came after heated discussions over two proposals where contractors had quoted nearly 40% less than the projected expenses. Standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare mandated the public works department to submit a detailed report covering the last three financial years, specifically asking how many work orders were awarded to contractors who submitted bids 30% to 40% below the estimated cost. Congress corporators Wasim Khan and Abhijeet Jha raised concerns about the feasibility of ensuring quality construction at such drastically reduced rates. Dani Wakhare also sought information on whether projects faced delays due to contractors struggling to execute work at lower rates and whether additional bills were submitted later to recover losses. A third-party audit of all works awarded at steeply reduced rates was ordered, with officials instructed to identify cases of substandard work and take strict action, including blacklisting contractors and holding officials accountable for irregularities. The issue gained attention after corporator Aslam Khan alleged that a contractor working on a 800-meter road in Ekta Nagar stalled the project after completing 75% of the work, citing fund shortages. The road, awarded at Rs50 lakh, now requires an additional Rs25 lakh to finish, including interlocking blocks on the footpath. Dani Wakhare directed a probe into this case.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #wasim_khan #shivani_dani_wakhare #abhijeet_jha #aslam_khan
Nagpur Municipal Corporation halts Rs1.43 crore pothole repair tender over allegations of irregularities and conflict of interest The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has postponed its proposal to award a Rs1.43 crore contract for pothole repairs using jet patcher machines following strong objections from opposition corporators. The decision came during a standing committee meeting on Wednesday, where members raised concerns about alleged lack of audit mechanisms, potential conflicts of interest, and repeated awarding of contracts to the same agency. The tender, proposed by the NMC’s hot mix plant department, involved negotiating the work at Rs1.43 crore, including GST and insurance. This amount was 4.20% below the original estimated cost of Rs1.49 crore, which itself was higher than the base rate of Rs1.25 crore. The contractor initially quoted Rs1.30 crore, 4.74% above the base rate, but eventually agreed to the negotiated price. The NMC had upgraded its hotmix plant in 2025, increasing its asphalt production capacity from 30-40 tonnes per hour to 60-90 tonnes, making it self-reliant for road repairs. Opposition corporators, including Congress members Wasim Khan and Abhijeet Jha, criticized the proposal, arguing that the civic body had no audit or performance data to assess the durability of previous pothole repairs. They highlighted that millions of rupees had been spent without mechanisms to ensure long-term results, suggesting potential wastefulness. “There is no data on how long these potholes remain repaired. Without audit or performance reviews, how can the same contractor be trusted with public funds?” they questioned, demanding accountability.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #wasim_khan #shivani_dani_wakhare #abhijeet_jha #maharashtra_municipal_corporations_act
Auto drivers demand action on fuel rates, bike taxis Autorickshaw drivers in Nagpur staged a protest at the collector’s office on Tuesday, demanding urgent measures to address the sharp rise in LPG prices and its impact on their livelihoods. Around 50 drivers participated in the demonstration, led by corporator Wasim Khan, who highlighted the steep increase in fuel costs as a major challenge for their daily operations. Drivers reported that LPG prices have surged from Rs54 to Rs84 per litre, with some companies charging as high as Rs96, making it difficult to sustain their businesses. Many emphasized that the hike has outpaced their earnings, pushing them toward financial strain. Khan, who also towed an auto-rickshaw to the protest site as a symbolic gesture, stated that the rise in LPG prices affects every driver in the city. “The increase in fuel costs is making it nearly impossible to manage daily expenses,” he said. Drivers noted that their expenses, including maintenance and permits, are already high, and the added burden of fuel price hikes has exacerbated their struggles. The protest underscored the direct link between rising fuel costs and reduced profit margins for auto drivers, who rely heavily on LPG as their primary fuel source. In addition to fuel prices, drivers raised concerns about the growing competition from app-based bike taxi services operated by private players. They argued that these services are undermining traditional auto operations and called for regulatory intervention to protect their livelihoods. The drivers’ demands reflect broader frustrations with rising operational costs and the lack of support from authorities to address their financial challenges.#nagpur #lpg_prices #wasim_khan #app_based_bike_taxi_services #auto_drivers
