In March 2008, ProjectsToday observed an increase of 26 per cent in project tendering business compared to February 2008. A total of 3,516 project related tenders were floated, with an estimated job works worth Rs.34,774 crore. During the month 2,695 tenders worth Rs.18,435 crore were by state government agencies, 785 tenders worth Rs.16,304 crore were by Central government agencies and balance 36 tenders were by private companies.

The aggregate cost of project tenders, floated by Central government agencies jumped up to Rs.16,304 crore in March 2008 from Rs.3,518 crore in February 2008. Thanks to NHAI, which floated 15 tenders worth Rs.11,185 crore to meet it's target fixed for 2007-08. Eight of the 15 tenders were for six-laning the national highways under NHDP-V. These projects will be executed as BOT projects under DBFO basis. During last year, beginning April 2007 to March 2008, NHAI floated 162 tenders, of which 31 tenders were floated under NHDP-V. National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd., National Projects Construction Corporation Ltd., NTPC Ltd. and Airports Authority of India, were the other most active tendering agencies during March 2008.

Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Ltd. floated the most notable tender of the month. It invited global bids to appoint a BOT entrepreneur who would implement Phase- II A of the Western Freeway Sea Link Project. The proposed Phase-II A of WFSL would stretch from Worli to Haji Ali Section in Mumbai, consisting of a sea link approx. 3.4 km and connectors. MSRDC also invited global bids for consultancy services for the feasibility study and pre-tender activities of the proposed Haji Ali to Nariman Point section of Western Freeway Sea Link Project Phase-II B.

Among the major sectors, Roadways accounted for 50 per cent of project tenders floated during March 2008. The sector saw 1,748 project tenders worth Rs.22,888 crore being announced. Irrigation, Community Services and Water Supply sectors followed the list with 306 tenders worth Rs.1,004 crore, 284 project tenders worth Rs.2,210 crore and 268 project tenders worth Rs.1,948 crore, respectively. The Hospital sector saw 63 project related tenders being floated worth Rs.231 crore, amongst which the most notable one was by Kolhapur Municipal Corporation. It invited proposals to develop a medical cluster in Kolhapur, on PPP basis. Government of Karnataka floated 11 project related tenders for various construction works under Karnataka Health System Development Project, across the state.

In the Airways sector 19 project related tenders worth Rs.213 crore were floated during the month. Airports Authority of India invited RfQs to construct a new integrated passenger terminal building at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi Jharkhand. This notable tender was valued at Rs.113 crore.

Another notable project related tender in Airways’ sector came from the Government of Karnataka for the development of a greenfield airport at Bijapur in Karnataka, on PPP basis.

Among the major states, Uttar Pradesh topped the state list with 762 project related tenders involving project work worth Rs.2,625 crore. Bulk of the tenders floated during the month was by state government agencies to develop roadways under PMGSY scheme. Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam Ltd. was also active in project tendering, inviting 32 water supply project related tenders in March 2008. Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Bihar followed the list with 377 project related tenders worth Rs.6,795 crore, 363 project related tenders worth Rs.4,728 crore and 363 project related tenders worth Rs.3,334 crore, respectively.

Private Sector

Though the sector did not show much increase, project-tendering activities were seen in the private sector during March 2008, some being of high value.

Expressions of Interest (EoIs)

In March 2008, 76 expression of interest (EoIs) relating to Railways, Power, Roadways and Hospitals sectors were announced. Among the floated EoIs, 39 EoIs were for consultancy services. Some of the major EoIs floated in the month were:

Empanelment of Consultants / Contractors

During March 2008, around 16 notices were published inviting applications for the empanelment of consultants and contractors. Some of the major notices were: