25% Cut for Tender Passing Culture in Delhi: A Shadow Over the Yamuna Project?

The national capital, Delhi, has long been a hub of political and administrative scrutiny, with its governance often under the public’s watchful eye. Recently, whispers of a “25% cut for tender passing culture” have resurfaced, raising questions about whether the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Delhi government is treading the same controversial path as its predecessors. At the heart of this debate lies the ambitious Yamuna River rejuvenation project—a flagship initiative that promises to restore the lifeline of Delhi but is now clouded by allegations of corruption and hidden practices. Could this project, meant to symbolize progress, be masking a darker side of governance? Let’s explore this issue with a curious yet cautious lens, peeling back the layers to understand what’s at stake for Delhi’s innocent public.

25% Cut for Tender Passing: A Persistent Allegation

The phrase “25% cut for tender passing culture” refers to an alleged practice where a fixed percentage—rumored to be 25%—of a project’s tender value is demanded as a commission to secure contracts. This accusation is not new to Delhi’s political landscape. Previous governments, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), faced similar claims, with critics arguing that such practices undermine transparency and inflate project costs, ultimately burdening taxpayers. Now, with the BJP at the helm under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, murmurs of this “cut culture” have re-emerged, particularly in connection to the high-profile Yamuna cleaning project.

The Yamuna project, backed by a ₹500 crore allocation in the 2025-26 Delhi Budget, aims to rejuvenate the heavily polluted river through initiatives like decentralized sewage treatment plants (STPs), real-time water quality monitoring, and drain desilting. Yet, recent reports suggest that the tendering process for these projects may not be as transparent as promised. Sources within the industry have hinted at unofficial demands for a 25% cut to secure contracts, echoing the very practices the BJP criticized during its campaign against the AAP. Is this a case of old habits resurfacing under new leadership, or are these allegations merely rumors aimed at tarnishing the government’s image?

The Yamuna Project: A Beacon of Hope or a Facade?

The Yamuna River, often revered as Delhi’s lifeline, has been a focal point of political promises for decades. The BJP, in its 2025 election manifesto, pledged to transform the river from a “polluted drain” into a clean, vibrant waterbody. High-level meetings chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi’s Chief Minister, have outlined short-, medium-, and long-term plans to achieve this goal. Initiatives like the “Maa Yamuna Swachhta Abhiyan” in schools and the approval of ₹3,140 crore for 27 decentralized STPs signal a strong commitment to environmental restoration.

However, the grandeur of these announcements is now under scrutiny. Critics argue that the Yamuna project might be more about optics than outcomes. The tendering process, a critical component of project execution, has come under fire for alleged irregularities. Reports indicate that delays in upgrading sewage treatment plants over the past three years were partly due to a lack of bidders and the need for retendering, raising questions about the fairness of the process. Could the alleged 25% cut be deterring legitimate contractors, leaving only those willing to comply with such demands? This possibility casts a shadow over the project’s credibility, making it essential to question whether the government’s intentions are as pure as the river they aim to restore.

Is the BJP Following the AAP’s Footsteps?

The BJP’s rise to power in Delhi after 27 years was marked by promises of “badlav” (change), with a strong emphasis on transparency and accountability. The party heavily criticized the AAP for failing to clean the Yamuna and for alleged corruption in public projects. Yet, the re-emergence of the “25% cut” narrative suggests that the BJP might be struggling to break free from the capital’s entrenched tender-passing culture. Industry insiders claim that the pressure to pay commissions persists, with some contractors reportedly hesitant to bid for Yamuna-related projects due to these unspoken expectations.

This raises a critical question: Is the current government genuinely committed to uprooting corrupt practices, or is it inadvertently perpetuating the same system it vowed to dismantle? The BJP has taken steps to address these concerns, such as ordering third-party audits of all 37 STPs and deploying advanced technologies like satellite imagery for monitoring. However, these measures will only succeed if they are accompanied by a transparent tendering process that encourages fair competition and discourages backroom deals.

The Hidden Cost to Delhi’s Public

The people of Delhi, who have long awaited a cleaner Yamuna and better governance, stand to lose the most if these allegations prove true. A 25% cut in tender passing not only inflates project costs but also diverts funds from critical infrastructure and public services. For instance, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has received over ₹1,091 crore since 2015 for Yamuna cleaning, yet the river remains heavily polluted, with only 80% of the sewage treatment capacity being utilized. If commissions are siphoning off resources, the public’s trust in governance is eroded, and the dream of a rejuvenated Yamuna grows ever distant.

Moreover, the cultural and emotional significance of the Yamuna cannot be overstated. Prime Minister Modi has emphasized the river’s importance during festivals like Chhath Puja, calling for a “Jan Bhagidari Movement” to foster public participation in its revival. Yet, how can Delhiites connect with a project shrouded in allegations of corruption? The government’s ability to address these concerns transparently will determine whether the Yamuna project becomes a symbol of hope or a reminder of unfulfilled promises.

A Call for Transparency and Accountability

To restore public faith, the Delhi government must take decisive action. First, it should make the tendering process for the Yamuna project fully transparent, publishing detailed records of bidders, contract awards, and project costs. Second, an independent investigation into the 25% cut allegations could help separate fact from rumor, ensuring that guilty parties are held accountable. Finally, engaging civil society and environmental groups, such as the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which has called for systemic reforms in Yamuna cleaning, could lend credibility to the government’s efforts.

The public deserves clarity on whether the BJP is truly breaking from the past or merely repainting the same canvas. By addressing these allegations head-on, the government can demonstrate its commitment to “Viksit Delhi” and ensure that the Yamuna project serves as a beacon of progress rather than a portrait of hidden dealings.

What Lies Ahead for Delhi?

As Delhi navigates this critical juncture, the question remains: Will the Yamuna project mark a new era of transparent governance, or will it be tainted by the same old tender-passing culture? The BJP has an opportunity to set a precedent by prioritizing accountability and public welfare over political expediency. For now, the citizens of Delhi watch with cautious optimism, hoping that the river they revere will not only be cleaned but also freed from the shadows of corruption.

The truth behind the 25% cut for tender passing culture may still be hidden, but one thing is clear: Delhi deserves a government that places its people and its river above all else. As the Yamuna flows through the heart of the capital, so too does the hope for a cleaner, fairer future. Will the BJP rise to the challenge, or will the dark side of governance remain hidden from the innocent public? Only time—and transparency—will tell.