In May 2007, a total of 2,104 project-related tenders were floated with aggregate estimated value of work being Rs.30,290. The State government agencies had a lion's share in the tendering activities. They floated 1,474 tenders valued at Rs.20,181 crore, whereas the Central government agencies listed 591 projectrelated tenders worth Rs.10,041 crore.

Among the tenders floated during May 2007, the most notable one was by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority of Maharashtra. It invited global expression of interests (EoIs) to transform Dharavi into an integrated township of Mumbai, with estimated project cost Rs.9,300 crore.

The month also saw National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) re-inviting RFQs from global parties, for six-laning of five stretches worth Rs.5,495 crore, on BOT basis, under NHDP-V. NHAI had originally invited tenders for the same during November 2006. However, following the changes in the scope of work, it re-invited RFQs on 18 May 2007.

Among the major sectors, in terms of estimated value of work and number of tenders floated, roadways topped with 863 project tenders worth Rs.13,320 crore. Irrigation, Railways and Community Services followed the list with 253 (Rs.1,160 crore), 217 (Rs.1,954 crore) and 144 (Rs.9,725 crore) project-related tenders, respectively.

In the special economic zone (SEZ) sector, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) invited applications from national and international companies, to develop an integrated textile SEZ at Kagal in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation and TN Government Enterprise invited RFQs for selection of a JV partner, to develop SEZ for IT & ITES with an international convention centre at Taramani in Chennai.

Among the states, in terms of estimated value of work and number of tenders floated, Maharashtra ranked first with 272 project tenders worth Rs.10,912 crore. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh followed the list with 198 tenders (Rs.1,110 crore) and 186 tenders (Rs.1,373 crore), respectively. In terms of estimated value of work, Karnataka ranked second after Maharashtra with 74 tenders worth Rs.4,323 crore. PWD of Karnataka and BMRDA invited RFQs for development of network of satellite town ring road and town ring roads in Bangalore Metropolitan Region, through DBOOT or annuity basis.

In the private sector, 39 tenders were floated during May 2007. These tenders related to power, aluminium, hospitals and oil & gas sectors. Bharat Aluminium, Sterlite Industries and Vedanta Alumina, all Sterlite group companies, floated six tenders for their ongoing aluminium, copper and zinc smelter projects. Jyoti Ltd. invited bids for the development of commercial property including shopping malls, multiplex, large departmental stores, hotels and hospitals etc., on 15 acres of land situated in Vadodara city in Gujarat. Adani Power Ltd. of Adani Group, invited ICBs from EPC contractors, to set up the Mundra Thermal Power Project-B (2x600 MW) at Mundra in Kutch district of Gujarat. Reliance Energy Ltd., a part of Reliance-ADA Group invited global EoIs for 4x300 MW coal based power plant, at Shahajahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, 2x600 MW power plant at Hissar in Haryana and 2x600 MW power plant at Shahpur in Maharashtra.

Expression of Interests

Around 87 Expression of Interests (EoIs) were called by various agencies in May 2007. These EoIs were meant for setting up projects in the Roadways, Railways, Tourism, Real Estate and Power sectors. Out of these, 45 EoIs were invited for business consultancy services.