CHENNAI: The city corporation has floated tenders allegedly for an already-constructed parking shed for battery-operated shuttle service vehicles at the Marina beach. The service was recently inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
As per the tender notice accessed by TNIE, tenders have been floated for the construction of a parking shed for two 11-seater battery-operated vehicles (BOVs) deployed on the Marina service road, at a cost of Rs 8.3 lakh.
The tenders were floated on June 20 with the last date for submissions of applications fixed on June 23. The bids were scheduled to be reviewed on June 24. However, a field visit by TNIE showed the parking shed has already been constructed. As per sources, they were constructed at least 10 days ago.
The construction of the shed even before the completion of the tender process raises concerns of allowing a contractor of the officials’ choosing for the work.
TNIE’s visit to the spot also confirmed that the shed, created as a parking zone for the BOVs at Marina service road near to Marina swimming pool, fitted with turbine vents to remove heat, smoke, and humidity.
The tenders were floated by the zonal level authorities of the Teynampet zone (zone 9) of the city corporation, undersigned by the Teynampet zonal officer and the zone’s executive engineer, dated June 16.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, on June 11, flagged off the two BOVs from Ripon Building. These vehicles were intended to operate along the Marina stretch between Anna Square and the Lighthouse, offering better access for elderly and differently-abled visitors.
While they were initially announced to begin operations from June 13, sources revealed they became operational only around five days ago, after the shed structures were made available.
Speaking to TNIE, the Teynampet zonal officer said the tender issued on June 20 is for an additional two new BOVs that are yet to be introduced. However, when asked why tenders were not floated for the existing shed, the official said he would look into the matter.
TNIE’s attempts to contact GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran and deputy commissioner V Sivakrishnamurthy for comments were in vain.
What the tenders say
The tenders were floated on June 20 with the last date for submission of applications fixed on June 23. The bids were scheduled to be reviewed on June 24. They were undersigned by the Teynampet zonal officer and the zone’s executive engineer, dated June 16