The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has cancelled the tender for a proposed foot overbridge at Vikhroli, estimated at around Rs 90 crore, following concerns about irregularities in the bidding process. The move comes after allegations of cartelisation and bid rigging were raised by Anil Parab.
After receiving the complaint, the authority set up a one-member committee to examine the tender process. The review reportedly identified procedural issues, prompting MMRDA to withdraw the tender entirely. Officials indicated that earnest money deposits of bidders who exited the process may be forfeited, and further action could be taken in line with tender regulations.
Parab had earlier written to the MMRDA commissioner, alleging that several companies were pressured to withdraw, leaving only a limited number of participants in later stages. He noted that while initial interest was strong, the drop in competition raised concerns about transparency. He also suggested that there were signs a particular bidder may have been favoured before the cancellation. While welcoming the authority’s decision, he called for stricter action, including the possible blacklisting of firms found to be involved in such practices.
Similar concerns have been flagged in other infrastructure tenders, including the Bandra Kurla Complex-to-Chunabhatti connector and fibre-optic works linked to Atal Setu. Issues such as repeated deadline extensions and limited bidder participation have raised broader questions around tender management.
MMRDA also cited practical considerations for cancelling the project at this stage, noting that starting construction on the busy Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road ahead of the monsoon could have led to execution challenges and traffic disruption. Re-tendering later is expected to encourage wider participation.
Officials clarified that the decision will not impact the timeline of Mumbai Metro Line 6, expected to be operational by 2027.
Source: Prop News Time
