...University to scrap Rs 40-cr contract for campus makeover

The University of Pune’s ambitious campus makeover plan (UoP) has received a major set back, with authorities deciding to withdraw a Rs 40-crore contract from Engineers India Limited (EIL), a public sector company entrusted with the construction of 17 new buildings. The company is accused of failing to meet deadlines and giving wrong estimates for the project.

Narendra Jadhav, vice-chancellor of UoP, had previously said that EIL had a good track record and extensive experience in the construction business. Presiding over UoP’s senate meeting on Tuesday, he, however, did a complete volte face and said that the company’s performance was disappointing, that it was not meeting targets on time and that the progress of the project was poor.

“The company had assured us thet they will give a detailed plan and estimate by June 2008. But it delayed the work and gave the plan on November 4. The UoP had estimated that the work would cost Rs 40 crore, but the company’s estimate is Rs 85 crore,” said Jadhav. “Moreover, the plan is very poor and there are many mistakes in the estimate,” he said.

Jadhav said the UoP was thinking of cancelling EIL’s two-year contract. “The University will try to do this work on its own as the EIL is not doing satisfactory work,” he said. Jadhav also pointed out that the EIL had been initially dissatisfied with UoP’s estimate of Rs 40 crore. “The EIL had said that it did not take contracts that were below Rs 50 crore. Somehow, we managed to convince them. The UoP had no choice either as it was binding on it to give the contract to a public sector company.”

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