During April 2008, a total of 3,320 project related tenders were floated, with an estimated cost Rs.43,916 crore. Of the total number of tenders floated, 2,593 tenders worth Rs.16,063 crore were by state government agencies, 676 tenders worth Rs.27,724 crore were by the Central government agencies and the balance 51 tenders by private sector companies.

National Highways Authority of India continued its brisk tendering activities observed in March ‘08 in April 2008 also. It invited a total of 36 project related tenders in April 2008 worth Rs.25,459 crore. The most notable one was the global RfQ invited for six-laning of Kishangarh- Udaipur section from KM.364.00 to KM.113.800 of NH-79, 79A & 76, in Rajasthan, under NHDP-V on BOT (Toll) basis.

Among the major sectors, Roadways topped the list of top 10 project tendering sectors, with 1,554 project tenders worth Rs.34,544 crore. Irrigation, Community Services and Water Supply sectors followed the list with 325 tenders worth Rs.1,227 crore, 270 tenders worth Rs.1,023 crore and 241 tenders worth Rs.1,507 crore, respectively. The shipping infrastructure saw 19 project related tenders being floated. The Mormugao Port invited global RfQs for the development of a coal import terminal at Mormugao Port in Goa, on BOT basis. The terminal will have a 300 meter long berth, about 100,000 sq. mtr. of backup area and an estimated capacity of handling 7 mln tpa of coal. The concession period shall be of 30 years, while the tariff will be fixed upfront for the entire concession period. Another notable tender in the same sector was by Chennai Port Trust, which invited global RfQs to select a developer for the mega container terminal with quay length of 2 km., and an estimated capacity of 4 million TEUs at Chennai Port, on BOT basis, for a 30-year concession period.

The Thermal Power sector saw 64 tenders being floated in April 2008. Public entities like NTPC and BHEL invited bids for 21 tenders and 15 tenders, respectively, for their ongoing projects. Four tenders were floated for setting up new thermal power projects. All the four tenders were floated by private sector companies namely, SKS Ispat & Power Ltd., Aaress Iron & Steel Ltd., Navbharat Power Pvt. Ltd. and BLA Power Pvt. Ltd.

Among the project tendering states, Andhra Pradesh topped with 437 project tenders worth Rs.8,707 crore. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Bihar followed the list with 370 tenders worth Rs.2,415 crore, 364 tenders worth Rs.4,145 crore and 299 tenders worth Rs.1,120 crore, respectively. Increased tendering activities by West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. helped West Bengal to be amongst the top 10 project tendering states in April 2008.

Out of 114 projects related tenders, WBSEDCL floated 41 tenders for rural electricity infrastructure and household electrification in various districts of West Bengal, on turnkey basis, under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY).

During April 2008 Engineering Projects India Ltd., floated tenders to select pre-tender tie-up associate for participating in the various packages of Pranahitha-Chevella Lift Irrigation Scheme Link-II, a project promoted by Government of Andhra Pradesh. Speaking to ProjectsToday Mr. Hasan (Senior Manager), of the company said, "The Company opted for a pre-tender tie-up because the tender is of such a kind that demands JVs and tie-ups". He also added “A particular company opts to float this type of tender only because it might be good at one activity but would lack expertise in other, and hence it would advocate a tie-up with an organisation that might be good in that other activity".

Private Sector

In the private sector, 51 tenders were floated in April 2008. They were mainly in the Power, Aluminium and Roadways sectors.

Some of the major tenders include:

Expression of Interests

In April 2008, 58 EoIs relating to Power, Roadways, Hospitals and Aluminium sectors, were announced. Some of the major EoIs floated in the month were by:

Empanelment of Consultants / Contractors

During April 2008, around 21 notices were published inviting applications for the empanelment of consultants and contractors. Some of the major notices were: