MMRDA To Re-Tender Rs 140 Billion Tunnel-Road Project

02 Jun 2025 CW Team

The agency is also evaluating the possibility of reducing the overall base project cost by approximately Rs 30 billion to ensure optimal utilisation of public funds.

The infrastructure initiative comprises two major components: a 5-kilometre twin tunnel with a diameter of 14.6 metres, estimated at Rs 80 billion, and a 9.8-kilometre elevated road bridge across Vasai Creek connecting Bhayandar and Ghodbunder Road, budgeted at Rs 60 billion. Once completed, the projects will significantly reduce travel time and enhance connectivity between the eastern and western suburbs of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Engineering firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T), one of the initial bidders, had challenged the tendering process in both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition (SLP). L&T sought several interim and final reliefs, including restraining MMRDA from opening or disclosing financial bids and issuing the Letter of Award.

However, the Supreme Court did not grant L&T’s requested relief. According to MMRDA, L&T was disqualified from the tender process due to non-compliance with a mandatory eligibility clause. This clause required a declaration that no bridge or barrage built by the bidder had collapsed within two years of completion. L&T’s failure to satisfy this condition rendered its bid ineligible and disqualified from financial consideration.

Despite the judiciary upholding MMRDA’s position at both the High Court and Supreme Court levels, the authority—represented by Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta—opted to withdraw the tenders in the larger interest of transparency and public good. A new round of bidding will now commence for the Rs 140 billion infrastructure undertaking.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has announced it will re-tender the Ghodbunder–Bhayandar twin tunnel and elevated road project, with a fresh bidding process to be launched following legal challenges and cost concerns. The MMRDA informed the Supreme Court of India about this decision on 30 May.The agency is also evaluating the possibility of reducing the overall base project cost by approximately Rs 30 billion to ensure optimal utilisation of public funds.The infrastructure initiative comprises two major components: a 5-kilometre twin tunnel with a diameter of 14.6 metres, estimated at Rs 80 billion, and a 9.8-kilometre elevated road bridge across Vasai Creek connecting Bhayandar and Ghodbunder Road, budgeted at Rs 60 billion. Once completed, the projects will significantly reduce travel time and enhance connectivity between the eastern and western suburbs of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.Engineering firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T), one of the initial bidders, had challenged the tendering process in both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition (SLP). L&T sought several interim and final reliefs, including restraining MMRDA from opening or disclosing financial bids and issuing the Letter of Award.However, the Supreme Court did not grant L&T’s requested relief. According to MMRDA, L&T was disqualified from the tender process due to non-compliance with a mandatory eligibility clause. This clause required a declaration that no bridge or barrage built by the bidder had collapsed within two years of completion. L&T’s failure to satisfy this condition rendered its bid ineligible and disqualified from financial consideration.Despite the judiciary upholding MMRDA’s position at both the High Court and Supreme Court levels, the authority—represented by Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta—opted to withdraw the tenders in the larger interest of transparency and public good. A new round of bidding will now commence for the Rs 140 billion infrastructure undertaking.

Infrastructure Transport

09 Jan 2026

India Becomes First to Produce Bio-Bitumen for Roads

India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen for use in road construction, according to Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Bitumen, a black and viscous hydrocarbon derived from crude oil, is a key binding material in road building, and the bio-based alternative is expected to significantly improve the sector’s environmental footprint.Addressing the CSIR Technology Transfer Ceremony in New Delhi, Mr Gadkari congratulated Council of Scientific and Industrial Research on achieving the milestone, noting that the initiative would help curb ..

Infrastructure Urban

09 Jan 2026

HILT Policy Seen Boosting Telangana Revenue Sharply

The Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation (HILT) Policy is expected to generate around Rs 1.08 billion in revenue for the Telangana state exchequer, according to Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu. Speaking in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, he said the policy would be implemented within a six-month timeframe in a transparent manner, with uniform rules applicable to all stakeholders. Mr Vikramarka noted that without the HILT Policy, the state would have earned only about Rs 1.2 million per acre. Under the new framework, however, revenue is projected to rise sharply to Rs 70 ..

Infrastructure Urban

09 Jan 2026

India Post, MoRD Tie Up to Boost Rural Inclusion

The Department of Posts and the Ministry of Rural Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate rural transformation and expand financial, digital and logistics services for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rural households across India. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The collaboration aligns with the government’s “Dak Sewa, Jan Sewa” vision and seeks to repositi..