Quality concerns over GVMC works ahead of Investment Summit
The quality of city beautification works being undertaken by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) ahead of the Investment Summit has come under scrutiny, with allegations that contractors are violating tender conditions to meet the deadline.
The summit, scheduled for November 12 and 13 at the Andhra University Engineering College grounds, is expected to attract around 2,500 delegates from India and abroad. The State government had directed GVMC to improve the city’s appearance ahead of the event.
Two successive cyclones and local body elections delayed preparations. With only two days left for the summit, officials have reportedly stepped up pressure on contractors to complete the works, allegedly at the expense of quality.
As part of the beautification drive, officials have taken up the repair and painting of central medians along the National Highway stretch from Bhogapuram Airport to the old airport, as well as the painting of iron grills.
Tender conditions stipulate that newly constructed medians be coated with primer, followed by white and light pink base coats, and then black and yellow paint. Existing medians must be cleaned of dust and dirt before two coats of black and yellow paint are applied. The work is also required to be executed by skilled painters.
However, contractors are allegedly applying paint on dusty surfaces without cleaning them. Instead of engaging skilled painters, they are reportedly employing daily-wage workers, including women, for the job.
While skilled painters are paid around ₹1,500 a day, contractors are said to be engaging women labourers for about ₹600. There are also complaints that colours other than those prescribed are being used.
The alleged deviations have raised concerns over the quality of work and the utilisation of public funds. As GVMC officials are occupied with summit arrangements, questions have also been raised about the monitoring of works and the enforcement of tender conditions.