In a major setback for Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Reliance Infrastructure (R-Infra) has backed out from the contract to transform commercial hub Bandra Kurla Complex (BK

In a major setback for Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Reliance Infrastructure (R-Infra) has backed out from the contract to transform commercial hub Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) into ‘Smart BKC’.

MMRDA had awarded the project to R-Infra on a design, develop, implement, operate and maintain basis for around Rs 75 crore as quoted by R-Infra, which included Wi-Fi hotspots, smart parking, CCTV surveillance and a citizen mobile application.

Sources said that R-Infra walked out as there was no communication from MMRDA about its bid being selected for project implementation as well as delay in evaluating the bid.

When asked, R-Infra spokesperson said, “MMRDA had opened the BKC Smart City bid on November 5, 2015. We came to know through media reports that R-Infra had emerged winner. Price validity of the bids was for six months i.e. till May 5, 2016, post opening of the bid. We neither received a formal intimation nor letter of intent from MMRDA and as such, as per terms, the bid itself stands void.”

Bids for the project were opened in November 2015 and the project was awarded in April 2016 by the executive committee of MMRDA. Similarly, validity of each bid or quotation mentioned in the tender document was for six months.

“There was some delay in giving necessary approvals for the project by a MMRDA official. There was delay in bid evaluation and after expiry, we approached R-Infra but it refused saying it was no longer interested in going ahead with the project. Subsequently, its earnest money deposit will be refunded,” said Pravin Darade, additional metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA.

Other than R-Infra, Larsen & Toubro was in the fray and had quoted Rs 107 crore for the project.