5 firms bid for Sewri-Worli connector

It will take a while to finalise the construction agency to build 4.25-km long Sewri-Worli connector as the private companies have quoted an amount way below the reserve price set by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

A senior development authority official said, “Already, five bids have been received by us and two of the bidders have quoted lesser than our stipulated prices. In such a case when the rates are less, the norm is to seek an explanation from the company asking why the price is less. If the reply is convincing, only then will the work be awarded to the lowest bidder.”

In the case of the Sewri-Worli Elevated Corridor, the five bidders are Gammon India, Hindustan Construction Company, Larsen & Toubro, NCC and Simplex Infrastructure.

L&T has quoted a price 14 per cent below the reserve price set by the MMRDA, which is Rs455.60 crore, whereas Simplex in their tender document has claimed that they can complete the project at 17 per cent cheaper than MMRDA’s price.

According to the MMRDA official, the reason behind varying and lower quotations is due to differences in the design of the project, which is directly linked to the construction cost.

“Bids for the Sewri-Worli elevated corridor were invited on the design-build procurement route. In line with this approach and our recent extensive experience of the Eastern Freeway and other major infra projects in the city. We have suggested a world-class design for the project that will set a new benchmark in the infrastructure development space, while at the same time being less expensive to build,” said a spokesperson of Simplex Infrastructure.

The proposed project will begin at Narayan Hardikar Marg at Worli and meet the planned Mumbai Trans Harbour Link at its Sewri interchange near Sewri railway station. On the way to Bandra-Worli Sea Link, it will cross Western and Central Railway at Elphinstone Road railway station and Sewri railway station. As per the schedule, it should take 48 months from the awarding of work to complete the elevated road.

The route
The project will begin at Narayan Hardikar Marg, Worli and meet the planned Mumbai Trans Harbour Link at its Sewri interchange near Sewri Railway station.