BRTS scrap sale sparks controversy in Indore:Transport body sold 2 bus stops earlier, ₹1.74 crore already deposited; civic body unaware

The Municipal Corporation issued tenders five times to remove the BRTS. Under this, 21 bus stops were to be removed, but surprisingly, AICTSL had already sold the scrap of two of these bus stops. In return, AICTSL also deposited an amount of about 1.74 crore from MPRDC into its account, while the concerned property belonged to the Municipal Corporation. Moreover, the corporation was not even given official information about this. The corporation also did not receive its scrap. This process was completed two years ago. Recently, when all 21 bus stops were demolished, the scrap from two stops was not found. When questions were raised about this, it was discovered that the scrap had been given to them after taking the full payment from MPRDC. Corporation struggled to find an agency even for 2.5 crore to remove the corridor
The operation of the BRTS corridor has been under AICTSL. The corridor was built by IDA, while the bus stops were constructed by the Municipal Corporation. The matter exposed the lack of coordination. While the corporation struggled to find an agency even for 2.5 crore to remove the BRTS corridor, the recovery of 1.74 crore for removing two bus stops raises questions. Contractor kept searching for bus stops The contractor of the agency tasked with removing BRTS reached near Satyasai Square. Two bus stops recorded at Satyasai Square and Dewas Naka were not found on site. First, the Public Works Department was asked, then information was sought at the zonal level, but no clear answer was received there either. Later, inquiries revealed that both these bus stops had already been removed during the construction of the flyover near Satyasai School. Tender issued for 21 bus stops, valuation also incorrect The corporation has so far issued 5 tenders to remove BRTS. Out of these, only 21 bus stops were mentioned in the first three tenders. The contractor also took the contract accordingly. When the contractor started counting the 21 bus stops, he found only 19. When the corporation’s Public Works Department sent an engineer, it was found that two stations had already been removed due to the flyover, and the scrap was said to be near the zonal office. During investigation, it was found that the scrap is with MPRDC, and they have already paid for it. Meanwhile, the corporation valued the tender based on the scrap of 21 stops. Now the question arises as to why the corporation kept issuing incorrect tenders every time. Work order issued, but the matter has not been resolved
To remove the 11.5 km-long BRTS corridor, the Municipal Corporation initially estimated a revenue of about 3.50 crore. Tenders were floated four times for this amount, but no agency came forward to do the work. Later, an agency agreed to do the work for about 2.50 crore and a work order was also issued to it, but even here the matter was not resolved. This contract was sub-let three times. Finally, the work reached a contractor, but after working for a few days, the contractor refused to continue the work. Upon receiving information about the Customs Department’s letter, we re-verified the corridor and found that out of 21 bus shelters, the scrap of 2 buses is with MPRDC. AICTSL had already sold it for nearly 1.75 crore. The corporation was not even informed. Tenders were done according to 21. There should be an investigation. -Rajendra Rathore, MIC Member
We had received a letter from AICTSL to auction scrap. This time, we had tendered for 17 stops only. We have not received any amount from MPRDC. -Abhay Rajangaonkar, Additional Commissioner