#DNAExclusive: Amid Sikkim stand-off, Chinese firm bidding for MTHL denied clearance

As Indian and Chinese troops remain locked in a tense military standoff along Sikkim sector, the Union Home Ministry has shown a red flag by denying security clearance to a Chinese consortium that had submitted bid for construction of proposed 22-km-long Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL).

Following the denial last week, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has now disqualified the company wanting to construct the sea link between Sewri and Nhava-Sheva in Navi Mumbai from the bidding process.

Considering the marine construction site is in close vicinity of two major ports, namely the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and the Mumbai Port Trust along with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre a security nod is required from the Union Home Ministry that consults the Intelligence Bureau and the Ministry of External Affairs before granting a security nod.

Sanjay Khandare, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, said, "We have received communication from the Union Home Ministry saying that the security clearance has been denied."

"Chinese consortium China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Limited in joint venture (JV) with Gayatri Projects Limited now stands disqualified from the bidding process."

Khandare added, "We have informed the companies about this development, but as the Home Ministry does not assign any reason, we cannot say why they have been disqualified. Also, a consortium consisting IL&FS Engineering Limited and Ranjit Buildcon Limited have been denied security clearance."

In the past, Chinese companies or groups with Chinese connections have been barred from bidding for Indian port projects by the Union Cabinet Committee on security grounds because of the shifting political relationship between the two countries.

Chinese companies have been denied security clearance in the past for the construction of Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL).

MTHL is a 22-km-long cable stay bridge and will be the second longest sea-link in the world after the 42-km link between Qingdao to Huandao in China. The project has been on paper since the 1980s due to lack of environmental clearances.

Following the security clearance, the financial bids of only the shortlisted bidders will be accepted.