Date:01/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/01/stories/2006020102400100.htm

Back `Last minute changes' shock Reliance Airport Developers

Our Bureau

Mumbai , Jan. 31

THE Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Enterprises group company, Reliance Airport Developers, has expressed "shock and surprise" at "substantial changes" made to the tender conditions for the bids for Delhi and Mumbai airports.

A spokesperson for Reliance Airport Developers said in a statement here on Tuesday that the last minute changes were made to favour select bidders and to deny Reliance either of the airports.

"To our utter shock and surprise, substantial changes to the published tender conditions have been telephonically communicated, in strange circumstances, barely two hours before opening of financial bids. Reliance has emerged the highest financial bidder for Delhi airport with 45.99 per cent revenue share and is among the two highest technical bidders for both airports," the statement said.

According to the Reliance spokesperson, there was no provision in tender conditions to give any bidder an option to match the highest bid, that too selectively for only one airport. "We are advised these changes are a complete departure from the tender conditions and are untenable and unconstitutional," he said.