The Supreme Court of India on Friday adjourned the hearing of petitions filed by infrastructure giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which challenged the Bombay High Court’s refusal to stay the opening of financial bids for two major infrastructure projects — the Thane-Ghodbunder to Bhayandar tunnel and an elevated road project.
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan stated that there was “nothing of extreme urgency” in the matter. The petitions have now been listed for hearing on 26 May before an appropriate bench assigned by the Chief Justice of India.
During the proceedings, the apex court noted that the High Court orders had not been annexed with the petitions, making it impossible to proceed. “We don’t know what the matter is,” remarked Justice Pardiwala, directing L&T to furnish copies of the orders.
Earlier, on 20 May, the Bombay High Court had dismissed L&T’s plea, observing that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) was not required to inform the company of its bid status, as the project was of significant public importance. While the High Court directed that the elevated road project bids be preserved in a sealed cover post-award, it declined similar protection for the tunnel project.
Representing L&T, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the company had not been informed of its disqualification after submitting bids in December 2024. However, the MMRDA, supported by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, maintained that as L&T’s bid was found to be non-responsive, there was no obligation to communicate with the firm, in accordance with tender rules.
L&T has alleged a lack of transparency in the process, claiming violation of fair practice norms.
Source: The Free Press Journal
