The reverse tendering process introduced by chief minister Jaganmohan Reddy on Polavaram Project had given him an advantage on Friday with the officials finalizing the contract for one single package saving Rs 58.53 crore to the government.
Works for the package 65 on the project head works, which included construction of tunnel, exit channel, excavation of two approach channels and head regulator and navigation lock were auctioned in the reverse tendering process.
These works were given to the contractor at Rs 290 crore by the previous government. In the reverse tendering, the same works were given at Rs 231.46 crore, a less by 15.60 per cent. This saved Rs 58.53 crore to the government.
The reverse tendering was rejected by Polavaram Project Authority and the Central Water Resources Ministry. They have also written letters to the State government opposing the reverse tendering and advising government to drop it.
The contractors, opposition parties made hue and cry, while the media too had expressed its own fears in the reverse tendering.
Six companies have participated in the reverse tendering on Friday. Max Infra (I) Ltd from Hyderabad bagged the project for Rs 231.46 crore.
The success in the first tender had come as a booster to the YSR Congress, which had dispensed all fears that have been framed around the reverse tendering.
The government is expecting a total saving of Rs 3,500 crore to Rs 4000 crore in the entire project, which is estimated at Rs 55,000 crore.