Latest news with #EoI
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
BMC selects RIL to develop open spaces along Coastal Road
Mumbai: Nearly a year after Mumbai's Coastal Road was opened to traffic, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has selected Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) to develop 53 hectares of reclaimed open space along the road. The company will take at least three to four months to prepare a plan, following which work on realising new open spaces along the road from Priyadarshini Park to Worli will commence, said sources in the civic body. On Thursday, BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani signed the letter of intent (LoI) outlining terms of the deal between BMC and RIL. 'Reliance was one of the companies that evinced interest in developing open spaces along the entire stretch of the Coastal Road,' said Gagrani. Another official from the Coastal Road department said RIL was the only firm that met the requirements specified in the call for expressions of interest (EOI). 'It was also the only company that had experience in developing such a large tract of open space,' the official said. The company will take at least 3-4 months to revert to the BMC with a design, said Gagrani. 'We will approve the design after discussions, perhaps involving external landscape architects,' he mentioned. HT reached out to RIL for comments on the development, but did not get any response from the company. Initially, the BMC had planned to develop open spaces along the ₹13,000-crore Coastal Road of its own accord. The plan was rolled back due to estimated additional expenditure of ₹400 crore and increased capital expenditure on big ticket projects including north-ward extension of the Coastal Road. In January this year, the civic body issued a call for expressions of interest (EoI) to develop and maintain the open spaces for a period of 30 years, extendable by another 30 years. The open spaces would include gardens, parks, waterbodies, and cycle and pedestrian walkways, and commercial activities would be allowed subject to permission from the Supreme Court, the EoI mentioned. The move to allow commercial activities subject to court approval irked many Mumbaikars, who saw it as a bid to privatise these spaces. Meanwhile, an online petition seeking an urban forest all along the Coastal Road has garnered over 40,000 signatures. Nandini Chabria, a member of the core team behind the proposal to create the urban forest, said the 53-hectare open space could be divided into three zones. The seaward side could have wind-breaker and salt-tolerant trees like Kewda, Sultan Champa, and Powderpuff mangrove while the side adjacent to the carriageway could have evergreen and deciduous trees like Jamun, Bakul and Amaltas. The zone in the middle could have shade-giving trees and flowering shrubs to attract butterflies, she said. 'This is a rare opportunity for us to turn the open space into a rich, climate-smart green zone,' said Chabria. 'Rising temperatures in the city, increase in sea levels and deteriorating air quality warrant the development of such a zone.' While the proposal was submitted to the BMC this week, municipal commissioner Gagrani said it would 'definitely be considered' while finalising the plan for the open space. Half hectare excluded A little over half a hectare – equivalent to the size of a football field – has been left out of the 53-hectare open space that will be developed and maintained by RIL. This includes the 3,000 sqm and 2,300 sqm sought by the Breach Candy Club and the Breach Candy Hospital, respectively. Both institutions claimed the portions fell within the area between the high tide line and the low tide line, and they had gone underwater over time. The hospital has been given its share as per instructions from the collector as it holds the lease for the reclaimed portion and wants to convert it into a parking lot. The Breach Candy club, which also owns the reclaimed portion it had sought, are still in the process of claiming it. 'Though these portions have been excluded from the open space, no built-up construction will be allowed on them due to the existing reservations on the plots,' said an official from the Coastal Road department. These portions would likely be out of bounds for the public, the official added.
The Print
7 days ago
- Business
- The Print
Centre approves development of AMCA prototype with rollout target of 2031. HAL to bid with private firms
The decision has been taken by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as part of plans to enhance India's indigenous defence capabilities and foster a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem. New Delhi: In a significant development, the Narendra Modi government has approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme execution model, under which the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will have to bid, along with private firms, to bag the contract. 'The Execution Model approach provides equal opportunities to both private and public sectors on a competitive basis. They can bid either independently or as joint ventures or as consortia,' read a statement released by the defence ministry. 'The entity/bidder should be an Indian company compliant with the laws and regulations of the country.' This means that no one entity will be considered as a natural choice and everyone will have to bid to win the contract, sources in the defence establishment told ThePrint. This implies that HAL, which has been the only entity in India to manufacture fighter planes, will have to compete against private companies, like TATA, Adani, L&T and other interested players to bag the contract to build the prototype. Sources further explained that HAL can bid as a single entity, or even as a consortium with private players. Private players can also bid as single entities, or as consortia of private players, or with HAL. This goes against the current practice, where HAL would have been the natural choice as the production agency, which would have then tied up with private players for manufacturing components and parts. 'ADA will shortly issue an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the AMCA Development Phase,' the defence ministry statement said. Sources said according to the timeline decided, the first prototype of India's own fifth-generation fighter is set to be rolled out by 2031, and the series production is slated to start by 2035. 'We have fixed a 10-year timeline, starting today. After the first prototype is developed, we will go in for series production, which should commence by 2035,' a source explained. The idea is for the ADA to select the best possible partner to speed up the development and production rather than depend on any one entity, sources added. There has been a lot of criticism against HAL for the tardy progress in the development and production of the Tejas fighter programme. 'For the first time, you have a private player like TATA, which has tied up with Airbus to manufacture military transport aircraft C295 in India. The private companies are supplying components for international fighters. Now, they can bid for the AMCA programme too,' said the source quoted above. The development comes amid reports that China is expediting delivery of its fifth-generation fighter—J-35A—to Pakistan, which will widen the capability gap with the Indian Air Force (IAF). While in terms of pure numbers, the IAF has more fighters, Pakistan has a higher mix of 4.5-generation fighter jets. China also unveiled what are being claimed to be two sixth-generation fighter jets—Chengdu J-36 and Shenyang J-50—last December. Sources declined to comment on whether India will go in for limited purchase of fifth-generation fighters, like the F-35 of the US, which is yet to be formally offered. They said that India is currently pushing ahead with the AMCA programme, and that is what is on the cards. (Edited by Mannat Chugh) Also Read: As Op Sindoor began, India's top military brass watched strikes unfold live from South Block
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MTDC plans to install EV charging points across state
The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), in order to support tourism and encourage the use of electric vehicles, is installing EV charging stations at its Boat Club and Grape Park resorts, both situated on the Gangapur dam backwaters near Nashik. These two locations are part of a larger initiative to establish charging facilities at 49 MTDC resorts across Maharashtra. The MTDC plans to lease out the space to contractors who will be responsible for setting up, managing, operating, and maintaining these EV charging stations. The corporation has already sought Expressions of Interest (EoI) from interested firms for this project. According to an MTDC official, there will be two charging stations at one location with the capacity to charge four vehicles at a time. The MTDC took this decision considering the rise in EV vehicles and to facilitate tourists coming to their properties. The MTDC will lease out its spaces, around 50 square metres, to the contractors for a period of 10 years, which will later be extended for another 10 years. In the Nashik region, the charging stations are to be set up at four locations, including two each in Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts. In Ahilyanagar, the EV charging stations are to be set up at the MTDC resorts in Bhandardara and Shirdi. The maximum number of EV charging stations will be set up at 13 locations in the Nagpur region, followed by 10 locations in Ratnagiri/Sindhudurg, nine in Pune, seven in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and six in the Mumbai region. The last date for filing EoIs is June 4.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
MTDC plans to install EV charging points across state
Nashik: The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), in order to support tourism and encourage the use of electric vehicles, is installing EV charging stations at its Boat Club and Grape Park resorts, both situated on the Gangapur dam backwaters near Nashik. These two locations are part of a larger initiative to establish charging facilities at 49 MTDC resorts across Maharashtra. The MTDC plans to lease out the space to contractors who will be responsible for setting up, managing, operating, and maintaining these EV charging stations. The corporation has already sought Expressions of Interest (EoI) from interested firms for this project. According to an MTDC official, there will be two charging stations at one location with the capacity to charge four vehicles at a time. The MTDC took this decision considering the rise in EV vehicles and to facilitate tourists coming to their properties. The MTDC will lease out its spaces, around 50 square metres, to the contractors for a period of 10 years, which will later be extended for another 10 years. In the Nashik region, the charging stations are to be set up at four locations, including two each in Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts. In Ahilyanagar, the EV charging stations are to be set up at the MTDC resorts in Bhandardara and Shirdi. The maximum number of EV charging stations will be set up at 13 locations in the Nagpur region, followed by 10 locations in Ratnagiri/Sindhudurg, nine in Pune, seven in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and six in the Mumbai region. The last date for filing EoIs is June 4.
Qatar Tribune
22-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Tourism launches EoI for West Bay Waterfront and Al Safliya Island project
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Tourism (QT), in collaboration with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), and Invest Qatar, has announced the opening of the Expression of Interest (EoI) process for the West Bay Waterfront and Al Safliya Island project. The announcement was made on May 22 during the Qatar Economic Forum, in the presence of senior representatives from all four parties. On the sidelines of the press conference, an agreement was signed between Qatar Tourism, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with the aim of coordinating joint efforts to implement the West Bay Waterfront and Al Safliya Island project. The agreement was signed on behalf of Qatar Tourism by Omar Al Jaber, Head of Tourism Development Sector, on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry by Saleh bin Majid Al Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs and Business Development, and on behalf of the Public Works Authority by Eng. Mohammed Masoud Al Mari, Senior Projects Engineering Advisor. This strategic initiative represents a significant milestone in the tendering process for the development and operation of five prime beachfront plots along Doha's iconic West Bay shoreline, as well as Al Safliya Island. The project represents a significant advancement in Qatar's efforts to enhance its tourism infrastructure and broaden its leisure offerings. The EOI process is now open to regional and international developers and operators with a proven track record in delivering large-scale hospitality and leisure projects. The development scope includes the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the five designated beachfront plots. The project will feature accommodation, food and beverage outlets, and recreational facilities, creating a unified and accessible waterfront destination. HE Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, stated, 'The West Bay Waterfront and Al Safliya Island project is a strategic initiative that underscores our commitment to expanding Qatar's tourism offering. This announcement reflects the strength of collaboration between public and private sectors in delivering impactful, long-term development outcomes. The project represents a significant step towards creating an integrated coastal destination that connects West Bay's beaches with Al Safliya Island, offering a comprehensive tourism, leisure, and hospitality experience. It will play a key role in supporting economic diversification and enhancing Qatar's position as a leading global tourism destination.' HE Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, affirmed that investment in tourism projects is a key pillar of economic diversification, and a vital driver of public-private partnerships aimed at advancing development. Such projects serve as a key catalyst for attracting high-quality investments that contribute to sustainable development and achieve the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. The West Bay Waterfront and Safliya Island development project, the Minister added, reflects Qatar's commitment to enhancing the investment environment and supporting vital economic sectors, including tourism, hospitality, and entertainment. For his part, HE Eng. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Meer, President of the Public Works Authority, confirmed that the waterfront development project in the West Bay area and Al Safliya Island embodies a distinguished model of constructive cooperation between various government entities, and an effective partnership with the private sector, within the framework of Public-Private Partnership initiative adopted by the state. He called on all national entities working in the building and construction sector to seize this important strategic opportunity and contribute effectively to the implementation of this ambitious project. He affirmed that Ashghal plays a pivotal role in implementing tourism projects by providing integrated infrastructure that is in line with the objectives of tourism projects, while adhering to the highest standards of quality and sustainability, ensuring a balance between urban aesthetics, preserving the environment and natural resources of the country. Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al Thani, CEO of Invest Qatar, said: 'Invest Qatar is pleased to support the West Bay Waterfront and Al Safliya Island project, a transformative initiative that will attract significant investment and elevate Qatar's tourism infrastructure. This project is a testament to Qatar's commitment to creating a dynamic and diversified economy by fostering strategic partnerships with world-class developers to contribute to Qatar's growth. We believe this development will not only enhance the visitor experience but also create new opportunities for innovation and sustainable development in the hospitality and leisure sectors.'
