MSRDC receives only two bids for Mumbai-Pune Expressway smart city corridor

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has received only two bids for preparation of the development plan for Mumbai-Pune Expressway smart city corridor, compelling the corporation to go for a second call of bidding.

“We received only two bids for preparation of development plan due to which, we have opted for a second call. To implement any project, there should be competitive bidding. The reason behind such a poor response is certain conditions being stringent. Therefore, we have relaxed a few conditions in the second call,” said Kiran Kurundar, joint managing director, MSRDC.

MSRDC is the special planning authority (SPA) for the area and has been entrusted with all responsibilities and powers of a planning agency on the same lines as say Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) for Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA). The idea behind proposing MSRDC as SPA for Expressway was that in a study conducted by a state government committee, it was found that a proper development pattern was needed.

MSRDC intends to prepare an existing land use plan and explore alternative development strategies of implementation of development plan, including obtaining land for infrastructure and identifying growth centres within SPA. Through this, MSRDC plans to generate finance for providing infrastructure facilities.