Surat municipal corporation (SMC) had been advocating public participation and collaboration with NGOs as a way forward for the city. However, now the municipal corporation is in a fix after its decision to call for tenders for tree transplantation work. This is because the lowest bidding contractor doesn`t have a proven record in the sphere of mass tree transplantation.

"As per the bidding norms, the contract has to be given to the lowest bidder. However, an NGO too had evinced interest and wants to do the work on a no profit no loss basis. We will hear all the parties concerned and then take a decision," standing committee chairman Bhimji Patel said.

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NGO Prayas has done more than 500 tree transplants successfully. It too took part in the bidding process. However, the rates quoted by it were the highest.

The NGO now has submitted letters to SMC authorities saying that it wants to do the work in public interest on a no profit no loss basis, provided the equipment was supplied by the municipal corporation.

"It is a technical job. We want 100 per cent success rate in tree transplantation. We care for trees and want to save all of them. If SMC provides us the machinery, we with our expertise can save nearly 1,271 trees that now face the risk of being uprooted," Prayas` Darshan Desai said.

The lowest bidder happens to be one of the trimming contractors of garden department. This bidder has no proven experience in tree transplantation. Until the standing committee hears out both the parties and take a final call on the issue, the BRTS project on canal corridor could be further delayed, SMC sources said