The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will re-tender the proposed Thane Ghodbunder–Bhayandar twin tunnel and elevated road project, citing the need for greater transparency and cost efficiency. The agency informed the Supreme Court of this decision on May 30.
One of the bidders, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), had challenged the earlier tendering process in the Bombay High Court and later in the Supreme Court. Despite the courts upholding MMRDA’s position, the authority has chosen to cancel both tenders in public interest. MMRDA is also considering reducing the base cost by approximately Rs 30 billion.
The project includes a five-kilometre tunnel of 14.6-metre diameter between Mira-Bhayandar and Thane, costing Rs 80 billion. Another component is a 9.8-kilometre elevated creek road bridge linking Bhayandar and Ghodbunder Road, with an estimated cost of Rs 60 billion.
L&T was disqualified for not meeting a key clause requiring a declaration that no bridge built by it had collapsed within two years of completion. As a result, its financial bid was not opened.
Source:The Free Press Journal
