No bidders for Bhadrakali Lake sediment removal. Revised tenders expected soon to ensure project completion by June
Warangal (Hanamkonda): Tenders issued for removal of sediments from the bed of the historic Sri Bhadrakali Devi Temple lake got no response forcing authorities to prepare a fresh tender within a day or two.
After a gap of 50 years, the irrigation department in Hanamkonda had issued tenders for removal of sediments from the lake, spreading over 382 acres.
District in-charge minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy had asked officials to remove sediments from the lake after emptying its water and to complete the process by June, ahead of the monsoon season.
The irrigation department drained the water in November last year exposing rocks and boulders. The work on drying the sludge also began soon after. To facilitate the work, the lake remained empty for nearly two months to begin removing sediments.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, district irrigation officer B. Ram Mohan said by dividing the entire lake into five blocks, tenders were invited in January second week for three blocks with January 11 set as deadline. A 10-day window was provided for applications for excavation of 5,85,000 cubic meters of soil and the price was set at Rs162.56 per cubic meter.
Divisional engineer K. Harshavardhan said the black soil in the lake is highly beneficial for growing agricultural crops and it is also used for making bricks.
The authorities have also decided to float a tender to sell the soil to private parties, marking the beginning of a new phase for managing the resources of the lake.
Meanwhile, contractors told Deccan Chronicle, that the cost of Rs 162.5c per cubic meter of excavated soil is too high as its quality and demand is not as high as touted.
If the short-term tender notices do not receive response, officials will reduce the cost of soil or revise the project’s condition. They should also introduce incentives or subsidies to encourage participation, they added.
An irrigation department official told this newspaper that if no one comes forward, the government may consider alternative measures such as handling the excavation and transportation directly or partner with public sector enterprises, bypassing the tender process.
Like in the Kakatiya Canal Project where the government land was extensively excavated, the government should use the excavated soil to fill these lands and prepare them for future needs.
