Latest news with #MumbaiMetropolitanRegionDevelopmentAuthority
Deccan Herald
a day 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'.
Time of India
2 days 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.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Why MMRDA has scrapped the tendering process for Thane-Bhayandar mega infra projects
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Friday (May 30) informed the Supreme Court that it has decided to scrap the tender process for Thane-Ghodbunder to Bhayandar tunnel and elevated road projects worth over Rs 14,000 crore in 'public interest'. The Bench was hearing a challenge by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Ltd to orders passed by the Bombay High Court on May 20 upholding MMRDA's position that the reasons for rejecting the technical bids need not be communicated to the company before the projects are awarded. The top court had on Thursday (May 29) asked Mumbai's infrastructure development authority whether it was willing to carry out a re-tendering process for the two major projects in the financial capital – and warned that failure to do so might lead the court to stay the current tenders. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai and Justice A G Masih had asked this question to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) first on May 26. On Friday, taking MMRDA's statement on the record, the SC disposed of as 'infructuous' the pleas by L&T. What is the background of this major development, and how did the matter reach the Supreme Court? What are these two infrastructure projects? The two projects will link Thane with Mira-Bhayandar. They are part of an extension of the Mumbai Coastal Road project. The first project is a 5-km twin tunnel of 14.6-metre diameter, connecting Gaimukh near the mouth of Vasai Creek in Mira-Bhayandar to the Fountain Hotel junction at Shilphata in Thane. The project cost is estimated at Rs 8,000 crore. The second project, a 9.8-km elevated creek road bridge, will connect Bhayandar with Ghodbunder Road in Thane. The cost of this project is estimated at Rs 6,000 crore. The elevated bridge is likely to be second in length only to the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) bridge, also called Atal Setu, which, at almost 22 km, is both the longest bridge and the longest sea bridge in India. What was L&T's contention? MMRDA invited tenders for the two projects on July 27, 2024. L&T approached the Bombay HC claiming not enough time had been allowed to collect geotechnical data. On October 8, MMRDA assured that the last date for the submission of bids would be extended by 60 days. Earlier this month, L&T filed two petitions before the HC, contending that MMRDA did not follow a fair and transparent tender process. The company said that it had submitted its technical bid on December 13, 2024, and the bid was opened on January 1, 2025 – however, it had received no communication about the outcome of the evaluation. After learning that MMRDA had scheduled the opening of financial bids on May 13 and invited select bidders for it, L&T suspected that it had been excluded from the process, the company submitted. This, L&T said, violated the principles of natural justice. The Instructions to Bidders (ITB) – which are detailed guidelines for potential bidders to prepare and submit their bids for a specific project – are discriminatory, L&T said. What was MMRDA's stand? MMRDA claimed that as per the clauses of ITB, it was not required to intimate L&T that its technical bid had been found unresponsive before the opening of financial bids. Once L&T had accepted the terms of the tender, it could not oppose the opening of the financial bids, MMRDA submitted. It argued that public infrastructure projects should not be delayed, and L&T's pleas deserved to be dismissed. And what did the High Court rule? A Vacation Bench of the court dismissed L&T's pleas and declined to continue the stay on opening of financial bids for the elevated road. In the case of the tunnel project, the Bench rejected L&T's plea, noting a 'suppression of material facts'. The HC said it had to be 'mindful' that the matter involved 'mega infrastructure projects of significant public importance', and 'any delay…would adversely impact the execution of the project'. The court gave L&T the opportunity to approach the Supreme Court in appeal. What happened in the Supreme Court? L&T submitted before the SC that there was an arbitrary declaration of the L1 (Lowest one) bid for both projects to Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), even though its bid was at a substantially higher project cost compared to L&T's. L&T claimed that compared to MEIL, its price bid was almost Rs 2,521 crore less in case of the tunnel project, and Rs 609 crore less for the elevated road project. MMRDA argued that the question of price did not arise if the petitioner was disqualified. However, the Bench disagreed, and said it shall be considered in case of 'public interest matters' and 'public money would be saved'. On May 26, the SC said it was difficult to comprehend that the technical bids submitted by L&T – the company which had been chosen to execute the Central Vista project in New Delhi – had been rejected for the Thane-Ghodbunder to Bhayandar tunnel and elevated road projects. On May 29, the SC reiterated that the difference of nearly Rs 3,100 crore between the two bidders was 'not a small amount'. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing MMRDA submitted that the disqualification was not on 'flimsy or fanciful grounds' and the authority would justify its decision and respond to the court's queries during the next hearing. This hearing took place on Friday.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MMRDA invites construction bids for Ramabai Nagar slum redevelopment project
Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has invited construction bids for 5,623 tenements as part of Phase I of the Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar and Kamraj Nagar slum redevelopment project, putting its first-ever Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme firmly on track. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The move follows MMRDA's recent financial breakthrough—securing a Rs 1,500 crore institutional loan from the Bank of Maharashtra. The Rs 8,498 crore project aims to transform a 31.83-hectare sprawl in Ghatkopar's Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar and Kamraj Nagar into a planned housing cluster with over 17,000 homes, civic amenities, and a freeway link connecting to Thane. Phase I covers 6.95 hectares and will feature 11 residential towers—up to 70 metres tall—built over a 36-month deadline. This urban renewal marks MMRDA's first independent foray into slum rehabilitation. An MMRDA official said, "The 5,623 tenements will come with 300 sq ft carpet area units, built across towers with basements for parking, commercial zones at stilt level, and 22 residential floors above." All towers will be equipped with eight elevators, including stretcher lifts. Amenities like anganwadis, libraries, youth centres, and fitness facilities will be included as per DCPR 2034. A portion of the cleared land will be used for the proposed freeway that will ease traffic between Ghatkopar and Thane—making the project integral to Mumbai's broader transport infrastructure plan. MMRDA officials said the project will be executed with a mix of funding—Rs 3,916 crore through institutional loans and 39% via internal revenue—ensuring both transparency and fiscal discipline. The Ramabai Nagar proposal received approval at the MMRDA meeting held in Nagpur under the chairmanship of the then chief minister Eknath Shinde on Dec 12, 2023. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The project is essential for the MMRDA to generate funds from the sale of land. With significant expenditures earmarked for infrastructure projects this decade, including 10 metro projects (excluding Metro 3 and Metro 1) totalling Rs 75,000 crore, MMRDA faces financial constraints. MMRDA estimates that it will earn Rs 1,073 crore from the sale component of residential tenements if they are built by the development agency. However, it will be able to earn Rs 2,918 crore if the sale component is sold to a developer who will then build and sell his housing stock in the market. The deal will also be financially lucrative for the development agency, which is looking at various options to shore up revenues. The authority anticipates a three-year timeline to complete the project from the day the land is transferred by the SRA.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Changing City: Bhayanderpada flyover promises faster, safer commutes in Thane
As Thane continues to expand and urbanise at a rapid pace, there was a need for infrastructure to cope with the mounting pressure on its roads. One such upgrade, the newly inaugurated Bhayanderpada flyover on Ghodbunder Road, is set to reduce the traffic issues for commuters. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inaugurated the flyover on May 14 in the presence of Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and senior officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). About the project The Bhayanderpada flyover is a 601-metre-long, four-lane elevated flyover built to address the perennial traffic bottlenecks on the busy Ghodbunder Road stretch. It is made a part of a larger multi-layered traffic solution which integrates three distinct infrastructure levels which include a surface road, a flyover and the upcoming Metro Line 4 viaduct, making it the first of its kind in the Thane region. This configuration is intended to streamline traffic in one of the city's busiest corridors, where signalised junctions previously caused long delays. The flyover is constructed over the path of the upcoming Metro Lines 4 and 4A combining road and rail transport infrastructure within a single corridor. Key Features Flyover Length: 601 metres Design Details: 391 metre ramp on the Thane side, a 20 metre underpass and a 189 metre ramp towards Borivali Traffic Flow: 2+2 lane carriageway designed to handle 73,000 vehicles per day Additional infrastructure: Dedicated pedestrian underpass for safe road crossing, minimising surface congestion Integrated Transport: Aligned with Metro Lines 4 and 4A, offering seamless future connectivity How will it benefit the public? The most immediate benefit of the Bhayanderpada flyover is the reduction in travel time. Commuters travelling between Thane and Mumbai via Ghodbunder Road can expect to save up to 25 to 30 minutes on their daily commute. The flyover is expected to significantly decongest the stretch between Gaimukh and Waghbil, which has always suffered from heavy traffic due to freight trucks and office going vehicles. By removing traffic signals at the junction and diverting inbound and outbound traffic through different routes, underpasses and the elevated corridor, respectively, the project facilitates smooth, uninterrupted movement. This also means reduced fuel consumption, fewer emissions and improved air quality for local residents. Who will stand to gain? Residents from areas such as Ghodbunder Road, Bhayanderpada, Waghbil, Brahmand, Kasarvadavali, and Thane East will see immediate and tangible benefits. Not only will commuting become faster, but safer too due to the improved pedestrian infrastructure and the minimisation of surface-level traffic interactions. Furthermore, the flyover will enhance connectivity to and from vital economic zones, including Navi Mumbai, JNPT, Bhiwandi, Vasai-Virar, and even the industrial corridor towards Gujarat. Officials believe that this improved connectivity will help stimulate economic activity, offering better job opportunities and supporting local businesses. Purpose and vision More than just a flyover, the Bhayanderpada project represents the city's shift toward integrated, sustainable transport solutions. Once Metro Line 4 becomes operational, the flyover will offer easy access to Metro stations, promoting a shift from road to rail and reducing the city's overall carbon footprint. As Mumbai and its satellite cities gear up for the monsoon, the opening of the Bhayanderpada flyover offers relief for Thane's overburdened roads promising commuters a faster travel. Administration speak Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, 'The inauguration of the Bhayanderpada underpass is a significant step toward creating a sustainable and efficient transport system in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. This project will not only improve traffic flow but also boost economic and industrial activity. We are prioritizing ease and safety in the daily commute of citizens.'
