More firms will participate in NMIA project bid: Cidco MD

Cidco is positive that more firms would participate in the bid for the development of its ambitious Navi Mumbai International Airport project, a senior development authority official has said.
The bid closes on February 13 and already two extensions have been given for the same.
"In the last two bids only one out of the four who had qualified in the first round has submitted the papers. Hence there was a need for the third extension which closes on February 13," Cidco, managing director, Bhushan Gagrani, told reporters today.
"The developers have discussed the matter with the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary and we are hopeful that this time more than two bids will be there. If there is only one bid then the government has to take a call on the same," said Gagrani.

He said development of the infrastructure on the plots for the project affected has been moving on a fast pace and should be ready by May 2017.
The allotment of plots to all the affected has been completed, he said and added that the project affected have been accommodated in ten villages.

The development of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) requires re-location of 3,500 families in 10 villages.
Gagrani said there were challenges and complications in the mega project which was being handled by Cidco but was confident that the First Terminal with runway would be ready by December 2019.

He said that a proposal has already been forwarded to the state government to convert the land being allotted to the project affected which is presently leasehold into freehold.