9 proposals worth ₹86 crore placed before Surat: Work order considered if agency gives extra 2% discount; ₹17 crore road works proposed in Katargam

Surat Municipal Corporation has tabled nine proposals worth ₹86 crore for roads, water supply and other development works, with an additional 2% discount being considered before work orders are issued.

The civic body is seeking to revive key development projects that have remained stalled for the past three months. The proposals will be considered at the Standing Committee meeting scheduled for today.

Following directions from the BJP's state organisation, the civic administration is exploring a formula under which agencies quoting the lowest bids would be asked to offer an additional 2% discount. The ruling party's final decision on the proposals is being closely watched.

After the newly elected civic body began its term, the BJP's state organisation issued instructions, including that agencies should not be asked to contribute to the party fund. However, a lack of clear guidelines led the civic body to avoid placing works worth more than ₹1 crore on the agendas of the Standing Committee and other committees for the past three months.

Initially, the administration planned to seek an additional 6% reduction from agencies that had submitted tenders. However, the proposal failed to gain traction because of agencies' reluctance and practical difficulties.