Latest news with #MMRDA
The Hindu
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Aaditya Thackeray demands probe into scrapped MMRDA tenders
Aaditya Thackeray, who represents the Worli constituency in the State Legislative Assembly, on Saturday (May 31, 2025) called upon Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to initiate a probe against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, following the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority's (MMRDA) decision to cancel the tender process for two major infrastructure projects in Mumbai. The two projects in question are the ₹6,000-crore Mumbai Elevated Road Project, involving a 9.8-kilometre bridge along the Vasai Creek, and the ₹8,000-crore Road Tunnel Project, which includes the construction of five-kilometre twin tunnels from Gaimukh to the Fountain Hotel Junction on Thane's Ghodbunder Road. 'Why should the government back down? No contractor goes against the government for one tender. This is only a scam. Cancelling the tender does not mean everything is clean. You [the MMRDA] had a hanging sword which is why you had to cancel the tender,' Mr. Thackeray said. 'Will CM Fadnavis get the matter probed by EOW, IT or ED? The CM should himself take charge of the MMRDA,' he continued. 'Shinde's corruption is proved. Will you sack him from the cabinet till the probe gets over? He has to face action,' Mr. Thackeray added. The statement gains significance as the MMRDA, which operates under the Urban Development Department led by Mr. Shinde, informed the Supreme Court that it was cancelling two tenders linked to the Gaimukh-Ghodbunder-Bhayander project. The authority said it would issue fresh tenders 'to safeguard larger public interest'. Further, the MMRDA stated that it was actively considering a downward revision of the base cost by ₹3,000 crore, based on financial bids disclosed during ongoing litigation. The Supreme Court, while hearing a petition filed by infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) challenging its disqualification from the tender process, also expressed criticism over the MMRDA's handling of the matter. Mr. Thackeray noted that the original tender was floated on September 13, 2024, with a bid submission deadline of October 3, 2024 — a window typically reserved for emergency projects. 'Such short notice is not appropriate for large-scale infrastructure works,' he said, adding that the deadline was only extended to 60 days after he raised objections. He further alleged that the terms of the tender were crafted in a manner that would favour 'preferred contractors.'
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Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Aaditya Thackeray seeks Dy CM Shinde's ouster over scrapped MMRDA tenders
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday called for the removal of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde after the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) informed the Supreme Court on Friday that it had cancelled the tender process for two major infrastructure projects in Mumbai. Speaking at a press conference, Thackeray urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to initiate an investigation against Shinde through the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), or the Income Tax Department. Tender cancellation and SC hearing Earlier on Friday, the MMRDA, chaired by Shinde who also holds the Urban Development portfolio, told the Supreme Court that it was withdrawing two tenders linked to the Gaimukh-Ghodbunder-Bhayander project. Engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro had challenged the award of the contract to Megha Engineering, and questioned why it had been disqualified. The authority stated it would restart the bidding process "to safeguard larger public interest". The MMRDA said this step was being taken voluntarily to strengthen public confidence and ensure better use of taxpayers' money. It also noted that a reduction in the base cost by about Rs 3,000 crore was being considered, based on financial bids submitted during the court proceedings. Thackeray questioned the move, saying, "Why should the government back down? No contractor goes against the government for one tender. This is only a scam. Cancelling the tender does not mean everything is clean. You (the MMRDA) had a hanging sword which is why you had to cancel the tender." He added, "Will CM Fadnavis get the matter probed by EOW, IT or ED? The CM should himself take charge of the MMDRA." Allegations of corruption Continuing his criticism, Thackeray said, "Shinde's corruption is proved. Will you sack him from the cabinet till the probe gets over? He has to face action." The Supreme Court also criticised the MMRDA during its hearing of a plea filed by infrastructure firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which was challenging its disqualification from the bidding process. The two projects under scrutiny include the Rs 6,000-crore Mumbai Elevated Road Project, which involves a 9.8-kilometre bridge over Vasai Creek, and the Rs 8,000-crore Road Tunnel Project, consisting of twin 5-km tunnels from Gaimukh to the Fountain Hotel Junction on Ghodbunder Road in Thane. Concerns over tender conditions Thackeray also referred to concerns he had raised earlier. He pointed out that when the tender was first floated on September 13, 2024, bidders were given only 20 days to submit their proposals, or by October 3, 2024. He stated that such short deadlines are typically reserved for urgent works and not large-scale projects. According to him, after he raised objections, the deadline was extended to 60 days. He also highlighted that a bank guarantee came from a financial institution based in St Louis, a Caribbean nation, and said the MMRDA rolled back its decision only after he raised the issue. Thackeray claimed the tender rules were created to benefit select contractors. According to him, "The tender conditions were designed in such a way that some 'favourite contractors' could bag it.
Deccan Herald
5 hours ago
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Aaditya Thackeray seeks Shinde's sacking over cancellation of MMRDA's 2 big-ticket projects; calls for probe
On Friday, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) told the Supreme Court that it was scraping two tenders associated with the Gaimukh-Ghodbunder-Bhayander project and said it would start the process of inviting bids anew 'to safeguard larger public interest'.
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Green zone in Thane may be deleted for Metro 4 car depot
MUMBAI: The state urban development department (UDD) plans to delete a green zone at Mogharpada in Thane, and change its use, to clear the way for a metro car shed to be built for Line 4. The 32-km-long metro corridor, one of the longest metro lines in Mumbai, will connect Wadala in Mumbai with Kasarvadavli in Thane. An elevated corridor with 32 stations, it is 80% complete. A notification issued on March 20 proposes to change the use of the 176-hectare (435 acres) plot from a green zone, which prohibits construction, to a metro car depot. Surplus land will be used by the Mumbai Metropolitan Development Authority (MMRDA) for residential/commercial purposes. The UDD has sought the mandatory suggestions and objections from the public, after which a final notification will be issued. Located near the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and the arterial Ghodbunder Road in Thane, the land in question is owned by the state but has traditionally been used for cultivation by 167 lessees. The government is still working on a compensation package that is amenable to the lessees. The car shed in question was to be built in Owale in Thane but was shifted to Mogharpada in the wake of the massive protests that erupted when the Metro 3 yard was built in the Aarey forest a few years ago. Since a large number of trees would have had to be axed in Owale, and only a few in Mogharpada, the site was moved. Work on Metro 4 began without a car depot site. The line was to be operational in 2024 but the new deadline is 2026. Line 4 will provide interconnectivity with the Eastern Express Highway, Central Railway, Mono Rail, ongoing Metro Line 2B (D N Nagar to Mandale), and the proposed Line 5 (Thane to Kalyan), Line 6 (Swami Samarth Nagar to Vikhroli) and Line 8 (Wadala to General Post Office). In the north, Metro 4 will be extended from Kasarvadavli to Gaimukh and will be called Line 4A. In the south, it will be extended from Wadala to General Post Office in South Mumbai, and will be called Metro 11. The Mogharpada car shed will service all these metro lines.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Tenders for Mumbai road projects worth Rs 14,000cr scrapped, SC told
Representative image Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Friday informed Supreme Court it had decided to scrap the tenders for the proposed Rs 6,000 crore Mumbai Elevated Road Project and the Rs 8,000 crore Road Tunnel Project. The matter reached SC after Larsen and Toubro challenged the decision of MMRDA to reject its technical bids for the projects. Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd, which was a prominent purchaser of electoral bonds prior to these getting scrapped by SC, was declared the successful bidder. A bench of CJI B R Gavai and Justices A G Masih and A S Chandurkar had expressed surprise over Megha emerging as successful bidder on Thursday. "It is for the Maharashtra govt to take a call on whether to invite fresh tenders for the two projects," it said and disposed of the L&T's appeal as infructuous.
