By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 20: Hyderabad-based BAC Infratech Pvt. Ltd. which has been in the news for bagging contracts worth over Rs 1,900 crore from the PHE Department, has now expanded its footprint in Meghalaya by bagging the prestigious Rs 732-crore Mawkhanu Stadium project, albeit through proxy.
A reliable source informed The Shillong Times that another Hyderabad-based firm—KPC Projects—had emerged as the lowest bidder (referred to as L1) for the Mawkhanu Football Stadium Complex in New Shillong, but the project has now been subcontracted to BAC Infratech Pvt. Ltd.
The project, envisioned as a 40,000-seater football-specific stadium — touted as the largest of its kind in India — carries an estimated cost of Rs 732 crore. The foundation stone was laid last year. Sources indicate that KPC Projects has subcontracted the EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) work to BAC Infratech, with senior officials of BAC actively participating in project-related events.
In another questionable development, the Additional Secretariat Project in Tura has also been indirectly awarded to BAC Infratech. Originally conceived at Rs 30 crore, the project scope was later upgraded with an enhanced budget of Rs 150 crore. This too was first allotted to KPC Projects and subsequently subcontracted to BAC Infratech.
BAC Infratech’s dominance was earlier highlighted in PHE Department projects across multiple districts, including major water supply schemes such as the New Shillong Township Water Supply Scheme (escalated from Rs 538 crore to Rs 772 crore) and numerous augmentation and utility shifting works in Tura, Jowai, Nongpoh, Williamnagar, Ampati, Baghmara, and Sohra divisions.
With these latest developments in sports infrastructure and administrative buildings, the company’s involvement now spans multiple departments, significantly expanding its order book in the state. Meghalaya reportedly constitutes around 94% of BAC Infratech’s current outstanding orders.
The growing concentration of high-value projects in the hands of the Hyderabad firm has triggered debate in Meghalaya. Local organisations including the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) and Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) have questioned the limited participation of local contractors despite the scale of public spending. Critics allege that the firm’s close connections with top leadership of the MDA Government have made it a preferred choice for executing large infrastructure works.
While BAC Infratech maintains that it secures work through competitive processes and subcontracting, the rapid expansion — from water supply schemes to landmark projects like the Mawkhanu Stadium — has brought the company firmly into the spotlight.
Congress questions PHE contract awards to BAC
The state Congress on Tuesday slammed the NPP-led MDA government for its move to allocate projects worth over Rs 1,900 crore to BAC Infratech.
Terming this a classic case of crony capitalism, he said the company was formed in 2014 when the BJP came into power. “The invisible hands of the BJP are playing a massive role here, too,” he said, while accusing the state and central governments of ensuring crony capitalism in Meghalaya.
Explaining economic development models, he said that in a trickle-down economic development, work is provided to large corporate houses, which ideally should ensure job creation in the villages.
According to Badwar, such a model leads to the concentration of wealth at the top level and income disparity among the villagers.
He said that the government should have chosen the middle path by dividing a project among smaller indigenous contractors, who know local conditions and are more likely to create jobs for the locals.
“I don’t see the government having any policy on how to bring economic development to the state,” he said.
