Date:31/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/01/31/stories/2006013102710900.htm

Back Bids for Mumbai, Delhi airports revamp to be opened today — Union wants Govt to consider its alternate plan

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Jan 30

THE modernisation and restructuring of Delhi and Mumbai airports is set to reach the last lap with the Government scheduled to open the financial bids to decide on the eventual winners here tomorrow.

"The bids will be opened at 3.30 p.m. tomorrow and the winners should be announced thereafter," a senior Government official said.

Earlier this month, the empowered Group of Ministers (e-GoM) had taken a decision to broad base the criteria so as to include more bidders into the modernisation process. While officials were tight-lipped on the exact number of bidders whose financial bids would be opened, sources indicated that the bids of at least five would be considered.

Among the bidders whose financial bids are likely to be opened include GMR, GVK, D.S. Group and Mr Anil Ambani led Reliance Group.

When the bidding process started the Government received six bids from industrial houses interested in participating in the restructuring of the Mumbai airport and five for the Delhi airport.

The five bidders for Delhi airport included GMR that had teamed up with the operators of Frankfurt airport, Fraport; Reliance, which had submitted a bid with ASA Mexico; D.S. Construction that had a tie-up with the Munich airport; Macquire that tied up with Airport de Paris; and the Essel Group in association with Turkish airport operator TAV.

For the Mumbai airport, the Government has also received a bid from the GVK group that has a tie-up with the South African Airport.

Meanwhile, at a meeting with senior Government officials including the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, the Joint Workers Forum of Airports Authority of India again called on the Government to consider the alternate plan submitted by them for the development of the two metro airports.

"The Minister has said that he would convey our sentiments to the empowered Group of Ministers. The Government was not able to give any satisfactory replies to issues that we raised. If the Government does not listen to us then we will be forced to take industrial action. This may lead to some inconvenience for the passengers and may also lead to closure of airports," the Forum Convenor, Mr M.K. Ghoshal, said after the meeting.

Late in the night, the GMR group filed a caveat in the Delhi and Mumbai High Courts to ensure that the process is not derailed.