In a letter to the ACB Director, the opposition leaders alleged that contracts worth more than Rs 78 lakhs had been hastily awarded by the corporation for construction of the road from Indira Avenue to Bhimnath Mahadev bridge and completion of work on the Vishwamitri bridge despite a possibility of reduction of the quoted price for the same.

They alleged that Standing Committee Chairman N V Patel had approved the proposal put forth by the municipal commissioner in the Committee meeting on November 28 under pressure from other committee members, without considering the negotiability of the deal.

Gandhi added that in the General Board meeting held soon after, he had raised the matter pointing out that the contractor had agreed to bring down the quoted prices by Rs 2 lakh, but the committee had paid no heed to it.

Tender to be finalised: The tender for the construction of the second track of the VIP Road will be finalised on January 6, 1999, City Engineer B K Desai said on Wednesday. The VMC has received six proposals for the work estimated to cost Rs 3.18 crore. An amount of Rs 1.50 crores will be extended by the Vadodara Urban Development Authority with the remaining amount coming from the VMC. Desai added that the work on the road will be completed before the onset of monsoon.

Road closed: The stretch from the Dabhoi Road, Bharat Wadi Char Rasta to Lalitani Chali will be close for vehicular traffic between January 1 and 31, 1999 as the VMC will lay drainage lines there. People have been asked to use the alternative roads from Lalitani Chali, Godi Road and near Yamuna Mill for the period.

Certificate: All pensioners of the VMC as well as family pensioners have been requested to submit a certificate denying having married for the second time between January 1 and 31, 1999 from 3 to 6 pm at the corporation's pension department.