Pune: BJP MLA Allegedly Threatens PMC Chief After Preferred Bidder Loses Rs 90-Crore Road Tender
Pune, 29th September 2026: A BJP MLA allegedly threatened Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) commissioner Naval Kishore Ram with an atrocity case after the civic administration awarded a Rs 90-crore road project to the lowest bidder, despite alleged pressure to disqualify the contractor, sources said.
The PMC is planning to develop the Wellesley Road along the Mula-Mutha river between Sangamwadi Bridge and Bund Garden. The proposed road will be around 2km long and 17 metres wide and is intended to provide an alternative route to the busy RTO-Bund Garden stretch.
Tenders for the project were invited in December 2025, with eight contractors participating. According to civic officials, the documents were to be scrutinised before the list of eligible bidders was finalised. However, an elected representative allegedly pressured the administration to disqualify one of the bidders, reportedly to facilitate the project being awarded to a preferred contractor.
The tender process remained stalled for nearly six to seven months. After taking charge, Ram directed the road department to complete the process as per rules.
When the financial bids were compared, the contractor whose disqualification had allegedly been sought emerged as the lowest bidder. The contractor quoted 12% below the estimated cost, while the bidder reportedly preferred by the MLA had quoted only 1% below the estimate.
The commissioner subsequently approved the lowest bid. The civic administration said the decision is expected to save the PMC around Rs 8.5 to 9 crore.
Following the decision, the MLA allegedly called Ram and threatened to file an atrocity case against him, according to sources in the civic administration. When contacted by reporters, Ram reportedly confirmed that he had received such a threat but did not disclose the MLA’s identity.
The MLA is also alleged to have used abusive language against civic officials and threatened to initiate breach-of-privilege proceedings against them.
The proposed Wellesley Road is expected to provide an alternative route along the Mula-Mutha and ease congestion in the area once completed.
