Bhubaneswar: The All Odisha Contractor Welfare Association (AOCWA) has accused the state government of neglecting local contractors in allocation of large-scale projects
In a statement, AOCWA said that WATCO on May 23 invited tenders for two major projects — 24/7 Water Supply Project (Rs 173.46 crore) and Underground Sewerage System (Rs 256.48 crore) under Bhubaneswar Development Authority. However, WATCO failed to address the systemic exclusion of Odisha-based contractors, it claimed.
It said local contractors are facing significant pain due to:
• Monopolisation by Large Firms: Mega tenders favour out-of-state giants, sidelining smaller Odisha contractors who lack the capital to compete.
• Economic Strain: With projects bundled into massive packages, local contractors are denied opportunities, pushing many into financial distress.
• Delayed Execution and Cost Overruns: Large projects often face delays, inflating costs and impacting public welfare, while smaller, local firms could deliver faster and more efficiently.
AOCWA demanded that these projects be split into smaller reaches of Rs 10-15 crores, enabling 35-40 Odisha contractors to participate. This restructuring would cover pipelines, house connections, and sewerage works in 4-8 manageable segments, ensuring equitable opportunities, faster execution, and reduced costs. Separate tenders for operation and maintenance are also urged to sustain local involvement.
“The Odisha government’s apathy is crushing local contractors. By ignoring our pleas, they are not only stifling our livelihoods but also delaying critical infrastructure projects that Odisha desperately needs,” said AOCWA president Jagdigh Patra.
The association called for urgent action to prioritise local contractors and rectify this systemic oversight.
