June 20, 2025: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided to re-tender two major infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing road connectivity between Thane and Mira-Bhayander. The authority had, on June 10, requested Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to submit detailed financial estimates, rate justifications, and supporting documentation for the proposed works.
L&T had quoted a combined value of Rs 12,052 crore for the Gaimukh to Fountain Hotel Junction Twin Tunnel (Rs 6,498 crore) and the Fountain Junction to Bhayander Elevated Road (Rs 5,554 crore). These bids were lower than those submitted by Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), which quoted Rs 9,019 crore and Rs 6,163 crore respectively, totalling Rs 15,182 crore. However, L&T was disqualified during the tender process and subsequently challenged the decision in both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court.
An MMRDA official revealed that the agency had granted L&T a seven-working-day window to submit clarifications, but no response had been received as of June 19. “When a company makes financial representations before the Supreme Court, especially in matters involving public funds, it bears the responsibility of substantiating those claims,” the official noted.
Following MMRDA’s voluntary withdrawal of the tender award, the Supreme Court dismissed L&T’s petition as “infructuous.” With the re-tendering process now set to begin, MMRDA has again approached L&T for its cost breakdowns. The aim, officials say, is to enable the authority’s Tender Review Committee—comprising experts from IIT and finance sectors—to use the figures as a reference to determine more competitive base rates.
The re-tendering exercise is expected to bring greater transparency and competitiveness to two of the region’s most critical infrastructure undertakings.
Source: Hindustan Times
