Global tender floated for new regulator across Kollidam

The Public Works Department has floated a global tender for construction of a new regulator across the Kollidam at Mukkombu in the district.

The contract envisages the new regulator on the downstream of the existing structure, a portion of which was washed away on August 22 due to heavy discharge from Mettur reservoir.

The State government has issued a Government Order sanctioning Rs. 387.06 crore for the project. A high-power committee, which met in Chennai recently, approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project.

Speaking to The Hindu , R. Senthil Kumar, Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department, said a site, which was 75 metre away from the old regulator, had been identified for construction of the new one. Various studies showed that it was the best site.

The new regulator would run a length of 650 metre across the southern arm of the Kollidam and would have hydraulic shutters.

Mr. Kumar said the design was prepared in consultation with Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, after a team of professors visited the site and studied various aspects of construction. A comprehensive investigation was conducted at the site and the IIT experts ratified the design.

Considering the importance and technicalities of the project, the Chief Engineer said a global tender had been floated to enable participation of competent companies having prior experience in construction of regulators and dams. The tender process would be completed in the second week of January. Evaluation and scrutiny of tender documents would then be taken up. A contractor would be finalised based on various standard parameters including evaluation reports and financial strength of the bidders.

The successful bidder would be asked to complete the project within 24 months from the date of work order. The temporary bunds built along the damaged portion of existing regulator would continue to be used for regulating water till the construction of the new regulator, Mr. Kumar said.

Source