In October 2008, taking a cue from the previous months, tendering activities declined both in terms of numbers and tender amount. Only 2,982 project related tenders worth Rs.25,111 crore were floated in October 2008, as compared to 3,488 tenders worth Rs.42,665 crore being floated in September 2008. Of the total number of tenders floated in October, 2,131 tenders worth Rs.11,675 crore were by state government agencies, 804 tenders worth Rs.13,380 crore were by Central government agencies and balance 47 tenders were by private sector companies.

The most notable project tender in the month was floated by East-North Interconnection Company, a wholly- owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation (PFC). The company had invited global RfQs for the development of an independent transmission project for enabling import of NER/ER surplus power produced by the Northern Indian region, on BOOM basis. Another subsidiary of PFC, PFC Consulting, also invited bids for consultancy services, to carry out various technical studies and MoEF clearance for Cheyyur UMPP in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.

Another interesting development during the month was the global re-invitation floated by the National Highways Authority of India, for the four-laning of the Khagaria-Bakhtiarpur section of NH-31, Patna-Buxar section of NH-30 and NH-84 on BOT (Toll) basis under NHDP-III, in Bihar. The cost of project is estimated at Rs.3,324 crore.

Among the major sectors, Roadways topped the sector-wise list with 1,128 project tenders worth Rs.13,594 crore. Community services, Railways and Irrigation followed the list with 362 tenders worth Rs.1,468 crore, 297 tenders worth Rs.1,854 crore and 264 tenders worth Rs.2,021 crore, respectively.

In the Railways sector, the month saw tendering activities for the Chennai Metro Rail project. Chennai Metro Rail - a SPV floated by Government of Tamil Nadu for implementing the project -invited bids for construction of an elevated viaduct in the section between Thirumangalam (Anna Nagar) and Vadapalani of Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount Corridor-2 of Chennai Metro Rail project Phase-I. In the same sector, Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India, a Government of India Enterprise, invited bids for project management consultancy services for the design and construction of important and major bridges (54 nos.) for the western freight corridor between Vaitarna and Utran on Vasai- Bharuch section in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The Shipping Infrastructure sector saw 20 project related tenders worth Rs.156 crore being floated in October 2008. The Tuticorin Port Trust invited global EoIs for development of port based industries/services and infrastructural facilities in Hare Island at the Tuticorin Port in Tamil Nadu. Another notable project tender in the same sector was by Mormugao Port Trust, which invited EoIs for the development of a port terminal at West of Breakwater, Mormugao Port in Goa.

Among the states, Maharashtra topped the statewise list with 527 project tenders worth Rs.2,402 crore. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu followed the list with 340 tenders worth Rs.2,263 crore, 272 tenders worth Rs.5,311 crore and 220 tenders worth Rs.942 crore, respectively.

Private Sector

In the private sector, 47 tenders were floated during October 2008. They were mainly in the Power, Aluminium and Real Estate sectors. Some of the major tenders were:

Expressions of Interest (EoIs)

In October 2008, 43 EoIs related to Power, Commercial Complex, Roadways and Hospitals sectors were announced. Some major EoIs floated in the month were by:

Empanelment of Consultants / Contractors

During October 2008, around 18 notices were published inviting applications for empanelment of consultants and contractors. Some of the major notices were: