Mumbai: Despite floating tenders for the second time, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has managed to get only one bidder to look after operations of the entire monorail corridor, including phase I and phase II (Wadala to Jacob Circle). IL&FS (Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services) being the only firm to have come forward in the bidding process, the authority is now planning to hold bidding for the third time in the next few weeks.
Sanjay Khandare, additional municipal commissioner, said, “One bidder has come forward this time during the bidding process, but we are planning to re-bid. The tender conditions won’t be changed while bidding for the third time.”
Dissatisfied with the maintenance by Malaysian firm, Scomi Engineering, which is currently looking after operations of phase I (Chembur-Wadala), the MMRDA had in January decided to rope in a private firm to look after operations of the entire monorail corridor.
When tenders were floated for the first time, six companies including Scomi Engineering showed interest in running the corridor. However, the second time tenders were floated - the authority changed some conditions during the bidding process.
Once the new contractor is appointed, it will be responsible for operations and maintenance of the entire corridor for the next 10 years. Under Scomi Engineering as operator for phase I since 2014, the corridor has received flak for technical glitches and shoddy maintenance. While Scomi Engineering’s term ended in February this year, the MMRDA did not want to extend its contract as the firm was reportedly quoting higher prices. As of now, the MMRDA pays Rs 3,131 for every trip according to rates put in place in 2008-09.
