Oppn demands fresh tenders for road projects

Part of the road project between Pothalapadu and Naidupeta was on Friday cancelled by the State government as the Centre had agreed to take up the project under its wings and term it as a national project.

This was announced by Chief Minister K Rosaiah in the State Assembly on Friday. The Chief Minister's announcement came in the wake of demands by the leader of the Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu. Naidu also demanded that files concerning the road project be put before Speaker N Kiran Kumar Reddy for perusal by the Opposition.

Earlier, Naidu demanded that files pertaining to three road projects worth Rs 3,000 crore be put before the Speaker. The Chief Minister turned down the demand but conceded the plea to cancel part of the road project.

Rosaiah told Naidu, ''When you were in power, people know how many files you have put before the Speaker.''

Promising to evaluate the projects with an open mind, the Chief Minister assured the Assembly that ''my government is for transparency in the award of contracts. We will only act as trustees of public money. Every paise will be spent efficiently.''

''The Government will take a decision after consulting the Advocate General on the legal implications. We should take care that there is no cost escalation. We have been asked to rule. You have been asked by the people only to play the role of a watchdog,'' the Chief Minister thundered.

Earlier, contending that three bidders had formed themselves into a syndicate and shared works among themselves, Naidu demanded scrapping of the contracts and suggested floating of tenders afresh. Roads and Buildings Minister G Aruna Kumari informed the House that 32 road projects were being taken up in the state under the Public Private Partnership mode.