MMRDA Seeks Details Of L&T’s ‘Rs 3,000 Crore Lower’ Bid After Scrapping Tenders For Rs 14,000 Crore Thane-Bhayandar Mega Projects: Report

Days after cancelling two major infrastructure tenders worth Rs 14,000 crore, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has asked Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to submit detailed financial estimates that were part of its original bid, Indian Express reported.

This move follows L&T’s disclosure before the Supreme Court that its bids were over Rs 3,000 crore lower than Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), which was declared lowest bidder by the MMRDA.

According to L&T, its bid for the Rs 8,000 crore tunnel project was Rs 2,521 crore lower, and Rs 609 crore less for the Rs 6,000 crore elevated road project than MEIL.

Citing sources, the Indian Express reported that L&T’s financial figures will be crucial in the fresh tendering process that MMRDA plans to launch.

The sanctity of the sealed bid process was considered compromised after L&T voluntarily disclosed its bid in court, according to the source.

The two cancelled projects aim to connect Thane with Mira-Bhayandar as part of the Mumbai Coastal Road extension. One includes a 5 km twin tunnel, and the other a 9.8 km elevated creek bridge.

The MMRDA, through a 10 June letter, referred to proceedings before the Supreme Court bench led by CJI Bhushan R Gavai, where L&T challenged a Bombay High Court order rejecting its pleas on the bidding process.

On 29 May, the SC warned MMRDA that failure to re-tender could result in a stay.

The next day, the state scrapped the tenders “in larger public interest”.

MMRDA said it is “actively considering a downward revision of the base cost by approximately Rs 3,000 crore” to ensure optimal use of public funds.

The authority said it would re-examine L&T’s estimates and asked for detailed bid documents within seven working days.

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