Tenders called for Polavaram

HYDERABAD: Ahead of byelections in coastal Andhra districts, the state government has finally called for fresh bids for taking up the Rs.4,717 crore Indira Sagar Polavaram Project works.The tenders, called in the past, were cancelled after the High Court gave a direction to this effect in February.The tender awarded to SEW Patel-AMR (joint venture), was thus cancelled..Though it was expected that the government would get round to calling fresh tenders immediately thereafter, it found time only now.The government hosted the tender schedule on its website after officials of both finance and irrigation department met and finalised it, apparently on the direction of the chief minister.The tender bid submission will be through online through EPC mode.The timeframe for completion of works will be five years.The contractors could file their bids within 45 days from April 23.The works include Earth Dam, Spillway and digging for laying foundation for 960 mw hydel power house.In October last year, the government had short-listed SEW Patel-AMR consortium to execute the works.Seven companies participated in it.The decision to award the contract to SEW ran into rough weather with opposition parties crying hoarse that though SEW was ineligible it was given the contract as a gesture of thanks giving to TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao for ending Sakala Janula Samme.Though KCR was not directly involved, the TDP had alleged that by favouring SEW, the government did, since on SEW’s board was CL Rajam who had a stake in Namasthe Telangana and who is a close aide of Chandrasekhar Rao