Many queries, BMC extends deadline to receive bids by 2 weeks

Officials said DBLR – pegged at Rs 3,186 crore – being a key infrastructure project, bidders are raising multiple queries before submitting bids.

“This is a big-ticket project… queries related to the design outlay and implementation of this project are being received continously. The road will also pass through mangrove patches and creeks, which may require environmental clearances. Over the last few months, we have been receiving multiple queries from potential bidders and it is taking some time to reply them at once,” said an official.

“Therefore, we decided to extend the deadline by two weeks, since it will give us some time to understand and answer their queries. If adequate number of bidders don’t submit bids, then the BMC may lose out a chance of comparing the price rates, resulting in financial loss. Also, not having enough bidders may delay the project, which may also lead to cost escalation,” the official added.

The proposed elevated road, with four lanes on both sides, will be 5.6-km long, of which while 1.5 km will be under BMC’s jurisdiction and 4.1 km under Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation. Civic officials said that lanes for emergency vehicles like ambulance and fire brigade engines will be consucted on both sides of the road. The BMC is also exploring options to create a multi-level car parking and transport bay beneath the road.