Jaipur: Serious concerns have emerged over a proposed ₹83.12 crore Operation and Maintenance (O&M) tender linked to the Bisalpur-Jaipur Water Supply Project, the lifeline drinking water scheme serving Jaipur and surrounding regions. Internal observations made during a Finance Committee (FC) meeting of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) have reportedly exposed major financial and technical irregularities in the proposal, forcing authorities to halt its approval process.
The revelations have triggered allegations of possible overpricing, flawed cost calculations, and administrative negligence in one of Rajasthan’s most critical water supply projects.
Tender Meant for Jaipur’s Lifeline Water System
According to official records, the proposed tender was prepared for the seven-year operation, maintenance, and repair of the transmission system stretching from the Bisalpur Dam Intake Pumping Station to the Surajpura Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and Balawala infrastructure network.
The existing contract with M/s GCKC Projects & Works Pvt. Ltd. reportedly expired on April 23, 2026, making a fresh tender process necessary to ensure uninterrupted water supply operations for Jaipur and nearby urban areas.
However, scrutiny during the Finance Committee meeting reportedly uncovered several serious anomalies in the proposed tender structure.
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Chief Engineer Flags Major Financial Irregularities
The proposal came under intense criticism from the Chief Engineer (Technical), who reportedly raised multiple objections questioning both the costing methodology and technical assumptions used in the tender preparation.
Among the key concerns highlighted were:
Estimated Cost Allegedly Inflated
The Chief Engineer reportedly observed that the estimated cost prepared for the work appeared to be “on the higher side,” indicating potential overpricing in the project estimation process.
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Alleged ‘Double Profit’ Calculation
One of the most serious objections related to the financial structure of the proposal.
According to the observations made during the meeting, the Basic Schedule of Rates (BSR) already includes standard overhead charges and contractor profit margins. Despite this, the tender proposal allegedly added Goods and Services Tax (GST) and contractor profit separately over and above the BSR rates.
Officials reportedly viewed this as an attempt to artificially inflate the project cost, effectively creating a “double profit” structure within the tender calculations.
Questions Over Pump Efficiency Claims
The technical committee also raised doubts regarding the pump efficiency parameters mentioned in the proposal. Officials directed that the operational efficiency assumptions and related technical calculations be re-examined before any further approval process.
No Clear KPI Framework in Multi-Crore Contract
Another major concern reportedly discussed during the Finance Committee meeting was the absence of clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the tender document.
Despite involving a multi-crore long-term O&M contract, the proposal allegedly lacked a transparent framework to measure service quality, operational accountability, maintenance standards, and performance benchmarks.
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Officials reportedly expressed concern that such a large public utility contract was being processed without a robust monitoring and accountability mechanism.
Finance Committee Defers Approval
In view of the financial and technical objections, the Finance Committee reportedly refused to clear the proposal and deferred the matter for further scrutiny.
The proposal has now been referred to the Technical Committee for detailed examination. Approval will reportedly remain pending until the Technical Committee submits its recommendations after reviewing the tender documents, cost estimates, and technical parameters.
Questions Over Timing and Accountability
The controversy has also raised serious administrative questions within PHED circles.
Critics argue that the department was fully aware that the previous contractor’s tenure would expire in April 2026, yet the fresh proposal was prepared at the last moment and allegedly contained inflated costing and incomplete technical planning.
This has led to speculation over whether the delays and disputed calculations were merely procedural lapses or part of a larger attempt to favour specific contractors through over-budgeted tender structures.
Questions are also being raised over who prepared the disputed financial calculations and whether accountability will be fixed against officials responsible for the alleged irregularities.
Potential Impact on Jaipur Water Supply Management
The Bisalpur-Jaipur Water Supply Project is among Rajasthan’s most critical urban water infrastructure systems, supplying drinking water to Jaipur city and adjoining regions.
Any delay or controversy in finalising O&M contracts could potentially affect operational continuity, maintenance efficiency, and long-term management of the water supply network.
The case is now being closely watched within administrative and political circles, especially amid increasing scrutiny over PHED tendering practices and public expenditure under major infrastructure projects.
Whether the department initiates disciplinary action or the matter remains confined to internal file observations could determine the future course of the controversy.