Why spend Rs 22 lakh on Attari gate if available for Rs 60K, say industrialists

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 19

The Focal Point Industries Association has demanded an investigation into the installation of the new gate at the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post. The Central Public Works Department has allotted Rs 22 lakh to the contractor for it whereas its market price is not more than Rs 60,000, the association said. Meanwhile, contractor Baldev Singh said that the gate weighed 5.5 tonne, not 5.5 quintal what the media reports have been claiming.

It has written to the Prime Minister as well as the President for a thorough probe.

Association chairman Kamal Dalmia said cost of the gate, weighing around 550 kg, was quoted Rs 22 lakh in the media reports. “It shouldn’t have cost more than Rs 60,000. The concerned government agency must have enquired from the market before paying such a huge money for the gate,” he said. People gather in large numbers at the JCP to view the Beating Retreat ceremony everyday in which opening of the gate with full force by BSF jawan is a major attraction point.

He elaborated that the gate, made of mild steel, was 11-foot high and 51-foot wide with a replica of the BSF emblem on its top and Ashoka Emblem on the pillars. “The contract to build the said gate was given to a private firm for Rs 22 lakh which is highly inflated. Even if we include the cost of labour and other expenses, its cost should not exceed Rs 60,000,” Dalmia said.

Quoting local market price, he said the best quality of mild steel was priced between Rs 60 to Rs 70 per kg. “Additionally, Rs 20 per kg cost of labour and other overhead expenses make it roughly Rs 100 per kg. Multiplying 550 kg with Rs 100 makes it Rs 55,000. Industrialists were shocked as they went through the cost of the gate,” he said.

“It seems that the hard-earned money of the taxpayers is being spent without any check. We are not fully aware of the system or checks being applied by the government agencies for the approval of tenders for supply of material to private agencies. The system needs to be reviewed,” he said, adding that a proper investigation must be carried out and the members of the sanctioning committee should be dealt with strictly if any mala fide intention surfaces.

The new gate is a part of the Rs 33 crore revamp project of the visitor’s gallery, which has been expanded to have a sitting capacity of around 20,000.

When contacted, BSF DIG RS Kataria said the force had nothing to do with it. “The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has installed the gate after following due procedure. The BSF didn’t release the price of the gate as it is the CPWD which carries out construction work. The price of gate was quoted by the gate fabricator. If there is some objection over it, the law will take its own course,” he added. No official of the CPWD could be contacted for comments.