20 participate in pre-bid meeting for Navi Mumbai airport

This was the first meeting after the CIDCO had floated on February 5 the request for qualification for the proposed airport

Around 20 companies on Wednesday participated at the pre-bid conference for the Navi Mumbai International Airport. This was the first meeting after the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) had floated on February 5 the request for qualification (RFQ) for the proposed airport. These entities showed up at the meeting despite the dispute over the acquisition of 271-hectare private land from six villages, opposed to the compensation package announced by the Maharashtra government in November.

Representatives of Tata Realty and Infrastructure, Zurich Airport, Ferrovial, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), Srei Infrastructure Finance, Samsung C&T, IL&FS, GMR Group, Shakat Aviation, Walnut Aviation, Essel Infrastructure and Vinci Concessions India were present. Many financial and technical consultants such as CB Richard Ellis, EY, Gensler and contracting firms such as IRB Infrastructure Developers and Tata Projects also participated.  

CIDCO Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Bhatia said, "The bidders expressed their fears regarding pre- development works, land acquisition, airspace management, rate regulation and airport connectivity. Details regarding Metro rail connectivity as well as improvement of crucial road linkages were made available. The applicants were assured the majority of approvals had been received.''

Bhatia said the bidders had been told that CIDCO was actively pursuing land acquisition. "We have assured the concession agreement will be entered into only after the entire airport area is in CIDCO's possession.''

Bhatia said some bidders had requested the extension be granted for the filing of RFQ.