The proposed pedestrian link between Vikhroli Metro station and Kanjurmarg railway station is set to face delays after the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) annulled the existing tender process, citing eligibility-related concerns and limited competition.
The foot over bridge (FoB), planned as a 740-metre connector between the under-construction Metro Line 6 and the Central Railway network, carries an estimated project cost of Rs 93 crore. The design includes modern commuter facilities such as travelators, elevators, and 25 CCTV cameras aimed at improving last-mile connectivity and passenger safety.
MMRDA had initially invited bids in November 2025, with a construction timeline of 18 months from the award of the contract, targeting completion by mid-2027. However, the tender process ran into complications during evaluation.
“After a comprehensive review of the tender process for the work of the foot over bridge connecting Vikhroli Metro Station and Kanjurmarg Railway Station, we decided to cancel the tender,” an MMRDA official said.
Officials revealed that eight firms had submitted bids. Despite being asked in February and March to furnish mandatory eligibility documents, four bidders failed to comply and were disqualified. Among the remaining participants, only two progressed to the financial evaluation stage after two others withdrew voluntarily. As per Central Vigilance Commission norms, such limited participation necessitated cancellation.
“After considering all the aspects, MMRDA has decided to cancel the tender process to get a more competitive and comprehensive response. A fresh set of bids will be out soon to link the under-construction Mumbai Metro 6 with the Central Railway,” the official added.
The cancellation follows allegations of cartelisation raised by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab. In a letter dated April 28, Basavaraj M B confirmed the decision and noted that earnest money deposits of withdrawing bidders would be forfeited. “The MMRDA has decided to cancel the tender process. This cancellation will not adversely affect the Metro Line-6 project, which is scheduled to be operational in 2027. The earnest money deposits (EMD) of the bidders who withdrew from the tender process are being forfeited, and we are initiating further action in accordance with the tender terms and conditions after due examination,” he stated.
Parab welcomed the move but called for stricter action. “I welcome MMRDA’s decision to scrap the Vikhroli FoB tender and forfeit the deposits of those bidders who withdrew. This is a clear acknowledgment that my concerns about cartelisation and rigging were valid. However, merely cancelling one tender is not enough. MMRDA must take the strictest possible action, including blacklisting companies involved and ensuring such practices are not repeated,” he said.
Source: Hindustan Times
