RInfra Walks Out Of Smart BKC Project

Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) has pulled out the plug much before the business district of Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) could have become "Smart". RInfra, which had bagged the prestigious 'Smart BKC' project has withdrawn from the project.

The project components included WiFi hotspots, smart parking, video analytics, as well as surveillance and citizen mobile application. Earlier, smart street lighting too was a part of the larger project, but was taken off so that Energy Efficiency Services Limited could execute it.

"Although there was some delay in giving necessary approvals to the project, but the requisite nods were given within the stipulated time frame. But citing the delays in clearing the proposal, RInfra withdrew from the project," informed an official from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

The development authority had started planning for the said project involving automation from early 2014. Later, after various rounds of deliberations and having invited tenders, last year on November 5 bids were opened wherein RInfra was declared winner. "The price validity of the bids were for six months, i.e. till May 05, 2016, post opening of the bid. We have neither received a formal intimation nor LoI (letter of intent) from MMRDA, and as per the terms of the request for proposal, the bid itself stands void," said an RInfra spokesperson.

Now, as a result, MMRDA will have to re-initiate the tendering process.