Thanks to NHAI, after two months of subdued tendering activities, the month of December 2008 saw a 29 per cent increase in project tendering activities when compared to the 2,843 tenders worth Rs.23,093 crore floated in November 2008. In all, 3,671 project related tenders worth Rs.27,542 crore were floated in December 2008, with 2,790 tenders worth Rs.13,365 crore floated by state government agencies, 836 tenders worth Rs.14,135 crore by Central government agencies and balance 45 were by private sector companies.

NHAI which was eager to award as much of its 60 roadways projects earmarked for awarding in 2008, floated 20 project related tenders worth Rs.9,762 crore. The most notable one was for six-laning the Kagal-Satara section from KM 592.240 to KM 725.000 of NH-4 on BOT (Toll) basis in Maharashtra, with an estimated cost at Rs.1,416 crore.

Among the major sectors, Roadways topped the sector-wise list with 1,667 project tenders worth Rs.17,660 crore. Community services, Irrigation and Water Supply followed, with 437 tenders worth Rs.1,403 crore, 362 tenders worth Rs.2,689 crore and 311 tenders worth Rs.1,566 crore, respectively.

The Thermal Power sector saw 63 project related tenders worth Rs.104 crore being floated during the month. The most striking tender was floated by Power Company of Karnataka on behalf of distribution companies of Karnataka, inviting bids for consultancy services for the 4,000 MW imported coal based thermal power project at Kudigi in Bijapur, Karnataka, on long term basis through tariff-based competitive bidding. Another notable tender was by Puducherry Power Corporation, a Government of Puducherry undertaking, for the establishment of a 500 MW coal/natural gas based power plant, on BOO basis, in the Union Territory.

Among the state owned agencies, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation’s (GSPC) wind power tender was also noteworthy. On 17 December 2008, GSPC invited bids for development of a 200 MW wind based power project in Gujarat.

Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency, a Government of Chhattisgarh undertaking, invited global bids for development of geothermal power project on BOO basis at Tatapani in Chhattisgarh. NTPC invited global RfQ’s for the development and operation of Chattibariatu coal mining block in Jharkhand, and global bids for civil and hydro mechanical works on EPC basis, for the 3x40 MW Rammanm Stage-III hydro electric project in the Darjeeling, West Bengal.

Among the states, Maharashtra topped the statewise list with 547 project tenders worth Rs.5,248 crore. Jharkhand, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh followed the list with 430 tenders worth Rs.2,901 crore, 361 tenders worth Rs.7,392 crore and 325 tenders worth Rs.1,480 crore, respectively. Bulk of tenders announced by Jharkhand State Rural Road Development Agency for construction and upgradation of rural roads under PMGSY, helped Jharkhand be second in the state-wise list.

The Jharkhand Accelerated Road Development Company, a JV between the Government of Jharkhand and IL&FS, invited RfQs for development of four road stretches under the Jharkhand accelerated road development project, with an estimated cost at Rs.1,040 crore, a noteworthy tender.

Private Sector

In the private sector, 45 tenders were floated during December 2008, mainly in Power, Community Services and Petroleum Oil & Gas sectors. Some of the major tenders were by:

Expressions of Interest (EoIs)

In December 2008, 60 EoI’s related to Power, Commercial Complex, Roadways and Tourism sectors were announced. Some major EoI’s floated in the month were by:

Empanelment of Consultants / Contractors

During December 2008, around 13 notices were published, inviting applications for empanelment of consultants and contractors. Some of the major notices were: