Nagpur: At a time when almost entire Vidarbha is grappling with drought and water scarcity, making financial prudence and transparency in public spending particularly relevant, the state Public Works Department (PWD) has estimated Rs50.42 lakh for repairing doors and windows, including scraping and polishing, at the Governor’s bungalow at Lok Bhavan.The proposal is part of a wider refurbishment drive at the 136-year-old complex, covering seven works worth a combined Rs3.78 crore. On Thursday, PWD floated a tender advertisement for the seven works that carry a stipulated completion period of one month. On Wednesday, TOI reported on the advertisement floated for the first round of 10 Lok Bhavan works estimated at Rs3.95 crore.The advertisement on Thursday also includes flooring in VIP Suites 1 and 2, estimated at Rs50.42 lakh, and flooring, wall furnishing and miscellaneous work at the Governor’s bungalow, also estimated at Rs50.42 lakh. Three contracts covering roofing at forest officers’ quarters, renovation of the four-in-one bungalow and roofing at servant quarters have each been pegged at Rs58.82 lakh. Sandstone plastering and steps at the main water tank form another contract estimated at Rs50.42 lakh.The doors-and-windows contract raises questions about the extent of repairs envisaged, the number of doors and windows covered, the materials involved and the item-wise cost calculation. The tender specifications, quantities and rate analysis will be crucial in assessing the estimate, particularly because the stated scope includes scraping and polishing.The one-month deadlines across all seven contracts raise a further question: what makes the work time-sensitive, and what condition assessments or inspections underpin the proposed expenditure? The department’s item-wise estimates, site inspection reports and details of the materials to be used would help establish the rationale behind the costs.Lok Bhavan caretaker Ramesh Yewale told TOI that the complex, which houses 50 bungalows, had not undergone civil maintenance since 2011. He said the buildings required attention after years of neglect and that all the works mentioned in the tender documents were necessary. Yewale added that PWD Division-I had taken his office into confidence while identifying and proposing the works.Yewale said the refurbishment of the 50 bungalows would be carried out in phases, depending on available budgetary provisions. Four bungalows would be taken up this year, followed by 10 next year, with the secretary’s bungalow to be addressed subsequently.As per the caretaker, routine requirements included replacing old curtains, flooring and runners. He added that the premises needed to be maintained because President and Prime Minister also stay there during visits to Vidarbha.However, maintenance and drought-related spending may fall under different budgetary provisions, and the tender figures alone do not establish whether the proposed costs are excessive.Together, the two advertisements cover 17 works worth approximately Rs7.73 crore. Works to be taken up at Ravi Bhavan are not part of these figures.
