Technical bids being evaluated for projects worth Rs 7,780 crore; tendering process underway for 13 more projects worth Rs 5,240 crore
IL&FS Transportation Networks, Afcons Infrastructure Ltd, Dilip Buildcon, Madhucon Projects, ITD Cementation Supreme Infrastructure India Ltd, Sunil Hitech Engineers Ltd are among 159 companies that have bid for upgrading 1,267 kilometre-long state highways into national highways in Maharashtra.
With the estimated total ticket size being Rs 7,780 crore, the bids floated by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), on behalf of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), have been divided into 25 different packages or projects for 1,267 km.
Apart from these, there are 13 more packages for a total highway length of 701 km. The estimated cost for these 13 packages is Rs 5,240 crore. At the moment, tendering process for these projects is underway and March 9 has been set as the deadline to submit bids.
"Earlier this week, we received 159 bids for initial 25 packages from various companies to upgrade various highway stretches of Maharashtra. Presently, technical bids have been opened and evaluation is being done, which will take a few days," said P S Mandpe, chief engineer, MSRDC.
Depending upon the technical details submitted, bidders will be short-listed for opening of financial bids.
Other listed companies that have shown interest in the projects includes IVRCL Ltd, Patel Engineering Ltd, Punj Llyod Ltd, GK Consultants Ltd, MMS Infrastructure Ltd and Sunil Hitech Engineers Ltd.
The financial bid envelopes for the companies that have placed their bids are scheduled to be opened on February 28, and the lowest bidder will be awarded 25 of these projects. Tenders for these projects were floated back in December 2016.
In November 2015, MoRTH had decided to include Maharashtra's highways into its fold. All these projects are being undertaken by MoRTH through MSRDC and Maharashtra Public Works Department on engineering, procurement and construction basis.
In the next two years, MoRTH will spend at least over Rs 13,000 crore to upgrade these highways in Maharashtra.
Under the highway upgradation project, two-lane highways will be widened to four lanes. Over the years, vehicular traffic has tremendously increased, but the carrying capacity of roads have remained the same. Hence, the need to widen them and declare them as National Highways.
Out of the overall 38 packages or projects, some of the highways that would be upgraded in the next couple of years include Jalna-Parbhani, Aurangabad-Shirdi, Wakan-Pali-Khopoli, Satara-Pandharpur, Pune-Mulshi-Mangaon-Dighi Port, Satara-Akluj-Latur, Miraj-Manmad, Khamgaon-Barshi-Sangola, etc.
Construction work is is likely to commence before this year's monsoon. Although the duration to complete the project is two years, there is a possibility in delays due to land acquisition and rehabilitation involved.
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Depending upon the technical details submitted, bidders will be short-listed for opening of financial bids.
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