Single-bid contract for Getambe and Kohuwela flyovers

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Sunday Times reported today that single-bid contracts have crept back into the Road Development Authority (RDA). The article written by Namini Wijedasa reads that the cabinet this week approved the construction of two flyovers at the Kohuwala and Getambe junctions “as a remedial measure” for heavy traffic congestion. According to the article, the two flyovers are funded through a Hungarian loan of Euro 52mn or Rs 10.2bn. The proposal was submitted by Highways and Road Development Minister Kabir Hashim to enter into the loan agreements for the required funds from the Government of Hungary and to award the contract for designing and building the structures to Betonutepito PLC of Hungary. Further, the projects were not advertised and no bids were called. The newspaper says that this means that a competitive process that could have ensured better prices provided the flyovers were deemed necessary was not followed. On May 14, the Director General of the National Planning Department General S. S. Mudalige wrote to the Highways and Road Development Ministry Secretary recommending a detailed feasibility study “comprising all the engineering and economic analysis before finalising the flyover option”. This was in relation to the Getambe flyover. However, there was no such study done. What is available, however, is a preliminary appraisal commissioned by the Hungarian company for its own project. This finds the project to be beneficial on multiple fronts. The Kohuwala flyover will be constructed in 22 months and the Getambe flyover in 28 months. The Governments of Hungary and Sri Lanka have entered into a framework agreement for infrastructure financing covering transport and highways.