MMRDA to Grant Systra Fresh Hearing as Directed by HC

27 Feb 2025 CW Team

On Tuesday, the High Court set aside MMRDA’s termination of Systra India’s contract, stating that the decision was made without assigning reasons. The court directed MMRDA to reconsider the matter after allowing the company to present its case.

In a statement on Wednesday, MMRDA confirmed its commitment to following the court’s directive. “MMRDA fully respects the court’s decision and will issue a fresh speaking order after affording Systra India a hearing,” the statement read.

According to MMRDA, the decision to terminate the contract was based on concerns over cost estimates submitted by Systra India, which it claimed posed financial and operational risks. MMRDA stated that the court’s ruling reaffirmed its authority to act within the framework of contractual provisions, as the court did not grant Systra India’s request for specific performance.

The issue first gained attention when the French Embassy sent a letter to the Maharashtra government on November 12, 2024, referring to concerns raised by Systra regarding its work with MMRDA.

Systra India had initially been appointed as a general consultant for various metro projects, with its contract extended from November 2024 to December 2026. On January 3, 2025, MMRDA issued a notice stating its decision to discontinue the firm’s services.

As per MMRDA’s statement, Systra India had submitted a representation to the state’s Urban Development Department on January 3, 2025, citing concerns over delayed payments, project approvals, and suspension of payments. MMRDA stated that allegations of misconduct were not included in this representation.

The planning body further stated that it had issued show cause and suspension notices to Systra India in 2023 and 2024 due to deficiencies in tender preparations, which were later revoked in June 2024 after remedial measures. However, fresh discrepancies in cost estimates emerged, prompting MMRDA to take corrective action.

MMRDA reiterated its commitment to fairness, transparency, and ensuring timely project completion.

[PTI]

Source: By Mumbaimetro - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=132235292

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has stated that it will grant a fresh hearing to Systra India and issue a “speaking order” following the Bombay High Court’s directive.On Tuesday, the High Court set aside MMRDA’s termination of Systra India’s contract, stating that the decision was made without assigning reasons. The court directed MMRDA to reconsider the matter after allowing the company to present its case.In a statement on Wednesday, MMRDA confirmed its commitment to following the court’s directive. “MMRDA fully respects the court’s decision and will issue a fresh speaking order after affording Systra India a hearing,” the statement read.According to MMRDA, the decision to terminate the contract was based on concerns over cost estimates submitted by Systra India, which it claimed posed financial and operational risks. MMRDA stated that the court’s ruling reaffirmed its authority to act within the framework of contractual provisions, as the court did not grant Systra India’s request for specific performance.The issue first gained attention when the French Embassy sent a letter to the Maharashtra government on November 12, 2024, referring to concerns raised by Systra regarding its work with MMRDA.Systra India had initially been appointed as a general consultant for various metro projects, with its contract extended from November 2024 to December 2026. On January 3, 2025, MMRDA issued a notice stating its decision to discontinue the firm’s services.As per MMRDA’s statement, Systra India had submitted a representation to the state’s Urban Development Department on January 3, 2025, citing concerns over delayed payments, project approvals, and suspension of payments. MMRDA stated that allegations of misconduct were not included in this representation.The planning body further stated that it had issued show cause and suspension notices to Systra India in 2023 and 2024 due to deficiencies in tender preparations, which were later revoked in June 2024 after remedial measures. However, fresh discrepancies in cost estimates emerged, prompting MMRDA to take corrective action.MMRDA reiterated its commitment to fairness, transparency, and ensuring timely project completion.[PTI] Source: By Mumbaimetro - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=132235292

Resources

13 May 2026

Anant Raj Appoints Anish Sarin as Director

Anant Raj has appointed Anish Sarin as Director on its Board, marking a key step in the company’s leadership transition and long-term growth strategy. The announcement was made during the company’s Q4 and FY26 results declaration, reflecting the induction of next-generation leadership as the company expands across real estate, cloud infrastructure and data centre businesses. Anish Sarin, grandson of veteran industrialist Ashok Sarin, represents the emerging leadership at Anant Raj. Educated at Regent’s University London, he brings a global business outlook along with a strong focus on t..

Technology

13 May 2026

Vedanta eyes AI-led value growth

Vedanta Group expects to unlock USD 300–400 million in additional value over the next three years through large-scale deployment of AI-led industrial technologies across its businesses. The group said its V-Spark DeepTech Ventures platform has already delivered nearly four times return on investment since inception.Vedanta is scaling AI, predictive analytics, Industrial Internet of Things, digital twins, machine learning, automation and connected manufacturing technologies across its metals, mining, energy and industrial operations. These deployments are aimed at improving productivity, lowe..

Infrastructure Urban

13 May 2026

Hindustan Zinc inks pact with Group Nirmal

Hindustan Zinc has signed an MoU with Group Nirmal to set up a zinc wire manufacturing facility at its Zinc Industrial Park in Khankhala, Bhilwara district, Rajasthan. The partnership will expand downstream manufacturing activity and support value-added zinc applications in India.Under the agreement, Group Nirmal will manufacture zinc wire products using Hindustan Zinc’s Special High Grade zinc. The products will cater to infrastructure, renewable energy, automotive and industrial engineering sectors.Zinc wire is used in thermal spray coating and metallising processes to protect steel struct..