Onus on state if bidders back out of NMIA plan: Bhushan Gagrani

Bhushan Gagrani, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of CIDCO, said the onus is on the state government to take a final call on the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). He added that it would be on the state if CIDCO, which is the nodal agency for the Rs 16,500-crore project, fails to get more than one bid by February 13.

After two deadline extensions, CIDCO has set February 13 as the final deadline for all four bidders. "There have already been two deadline extensions. We are now hopeful that at least three consortiums will participate."

Gagrani said the bidders are in constant touch with CIDCO and the state government.

The final deadline for the completion of Phase I of the project has not been changed. "We are strict with the December 2019 deadline set for Phase I of the project," said Gagrani. The CIDCO MD, however, refused to comment on why bidders backed out of the bidding process.

According to sources, bidders pulled out of the process owing to issues pertaining to project-affected persons and their rehabilitation. About 3,500 families of 10 affected villages will be rehabilitated as part of the project.

Gagrani said CIDCO plans to spend Rs 300 crore on rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) pockets, of which it has already spent Rs 180 crore. The R&R work is currently underway in Vadghar, Wahal and Kunde Wahal villages.