MMRDA Scraps ₹14,000 Crore Tender After SC Rap in L&T Plea
In a significant development, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MMRDA) has scrapped the tender for two major infrastructure projects worth ₹14,000 crore, citing public interest. The decision comes after the Supreme Court closed the plea of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) alleging unfair disqualification from the tender process.
L&T had filed a petition in the Supreme Court, claiming that it was unfairly disqualified from the tender process despite submitting a lower bid than the winning bidder, Megha Engineering, a Hyderabad-based company. The company had won both tenders, worth ₹7,000 crore and ₹7,000 crore, respectively.
According to the tender documents, L&T had submitted a bid of ₹12,000 crore for the first project and ₹13,000 crore for the second project. In contrast, Megha Engineering had bid ₹13,500 crore for the first project and ₹14,000 crore for the second project. Despite this, the MMRDA had declared Megha Engineering as the winner of both tenders.
L&T had approached the Supreme Court, alleging that the MMRDA had failed to follow the tender process and that the disqualification was unfair. The company had also claimed that the MMRDA had not provided any reason for the disqualification.
The Supreme Court, after hearing the plea, closed the case and asked the MMRDA to reconsider the tender process. The court’s decision was based on the grounds that the public interest was at stake, and the MMRDA had the discretion to scrap the tender if it was in the public interest.
The MMRDA, in a statement, said that it had taken the decision to scrap the tender after considering the Supreme Court’s order. The corporation said that the decision was taken to ensure that the public interest was protected and to maintain transparency and fairness in the tender process.
The development is significant not only for the companies involved but also for the citizens of Mumbai, who were expecting the projects to be completed soon. The projects, which include the development of the Mumbai Metro’s Phase III and the construction of a new international airport, were expected to bring significant benefits to the city’s infrastructure and economy.
The controversy surrounding the tender process has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the MMRDA. The corporation has come under scrutiny in the past for its handling of tenders and contracts, and the latest development has only added to the concerns.
The MMRDA’s decision to scrap the tender has provided some relief to L&T, which had been facing financial losses due to the controversy. The company had also faced criticism from the government and the public for its alleged unfair business practices.
However, the development has also raised questions about the future of the projects and the impact on the city’s infrastructure. The MMRDA has not yet announced a new tender process, and it is unclear when the projects will be completed.
The controversy has also highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the tender process. The MMRDA has been criticized in the past for its lack of transparency and accountability, and the latest development has only added to the concerns.
In conclusion, the MMRDA’s decision to scrap the tender for two major infrastructure projects worth ₹14,000 crore is a significant development in the controversy surrounding the tender process. The decision has provided some relief to L&T, but it has also raised questions about the future of the projects and the impact on the city’s infrastructure.
The controversy has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the tender process, and it is hoped that the MMRDA will take steps to ensure that the public interest is protected in the future.
