During September 2007, a total of 2,631 project-related tenders were floated, with an aggregate value of work being worth Rs.13,272 crore. Among the total tenders floated, 1,967 were by the state government agencies, 629 were by central government agencies and the balance 35 tenders were announced by the private sector.

Among tenders floated, the most notable one was by Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd. The Corporation invited bids to develop an ‘Integrated Airport Township/Multi-Services Aerospace Park’ for knowledgebased industries/avionics and related industries and an integrated township with world-class recreational and support services, all in Saroornagar Mandal of Ranga Reddy district near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad.

PWD, Government of Karnataka invited global competitive bids from interested bidders (single entities/consortium/companies) on the Swiss Challenge Method, to develop the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project in Karnataka. The Rs.1,200 crore project is currently being developed by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE). The present State government opines that the promoters of the project are unnecessarily delaying its implementation with the intent to grab more land in the name of the project. Hence, the government decided to re-tender the project on Swiss Challenge basis. However, on 27 September 2007, the Supreme Court directed the Karnataka government not to take any action pursuant to the notification inviting global tenders for the project.

Another notable tender floated in the roadways sector was by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). MMRDA invited bids for designing and constructing five flyovers at various locations in Mumbai. These five flyovers are expected to be built at a cost of Rs.203 crore.

Hectic tendering activities were also witnessed in the airport sector. Airports Authority of India floated 12 project tenders worth Rs.457 crore. Of these tenders, the notable one was the prequalification tender invited for the construction of a new integrated terminal at civil enclave in Goa, at a cost of Rs.271.05 crore.

Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (MIDC) invited EoIs for consultancy services for Techno-Economic Feasibility Study (TEFS) and Topographic Survey for a new international airport at Chakan in Pune. MIDC also invited bids for the development the Baramati, Yavatmal, Nanded, Latur, Osmanabad and Amravati airports, which will be undertaken by private parties.

In terms of ranking states for the number of tenders floated, Tamil Nadu ranked first with 473 project tenders worth Rs.733 crore. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka followed the list with 436 (Rs.2,471 crore), 264 (Rs.682 crore) and 197 (Rs.380 crore), respectively.

Private Sector

The private sector saw 35 tenders floated in September 2007. They were mainly in the Power, Sugar, Aluminium and Oil & Gas sectors. Bharat Aluminium Company, Sterlite Industries Ltd., Hindustan Zinc Ltd. and Vedanta Alumina Ltd., all belonging to the Sterlite Group, floated eight tenders for their ongoing aluminium, copper and zinc smelter projects.

Lanco Kondapalli Power Pvt. Ltd., a Lanco Group company invited global bids from EPC contractors, to set up a gas based combined cycle power plant of 375- 400 MW, as an expansion of its existing power station at Kondapalli IDA in Andhra Pradesh.

Maa Mahamaya Sahkari Shakkar Karkhana Maryadit Ambikapur invited bids for setting up a 2500 tccpd sugar plant, which is expandable to 3500 tccpd, at Kerta-Pampapur in Chhattisgarh.

Corporate Ispat Alloys Ltd., an Abhijeet Group company, invited global bids for check, survey, design, engineering, supply, erection and commissioning the 2 mln tpa pithead coal washing plant near Chandwa in Jharkhand.

Expressions of Interest (EoIs)

In September 2007, 70 expression of interests (EoIs) were announced, relating to Real Estate, Power, Hospitals, Airways and the Roadways sectors.

Punjab Infrastructure Development Board, a nodal agency set up by Government of Punjab for infrastructure development, invited EoIs to develop world class Flying Training Institutes through public private partnership (PPP), at Patiala, Amritsar and Ludhiana in Punjab.

Hyderabad Urban Development Authority invited EoI-cum-RfP, to develop an integrated township under public private partnership (PPP), at Srinagar in Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh .

M P Biotechnology Council invited EoIs to set up a biotech park at Bhopal. The proposed 100 acres park would be set up under public private partnership (PPP) through a special purpose vehicle (SPV).

Empanelment of Consultants / Contractors

In September, around 12 notices were published inviting applications for empanelment of consultants/contractors.

Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (RADAG) invited applications for the empanelment of architects, consultants, contractors and suppliers; for a number of its projects in India.

AGI Glaspac, a SBU of Hindustan Sanitaryware & Industries Ltd., invited applications for empanelment of contractors for their new project near Hyderabad.

State Bank of Patiala invited applications for the empanelment of architects and contractors to execute civil, electrical and air-conditioning works at various locations.