The Bombay High Court has dismissed Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) petitions challenging the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) decision to open financial bids for the Thane-Ghodbunder to Bhayandar tunnel and elevated road projects. The court emphasized that L&T had accepted the tender terms and participated without prior challenge, despite acknowledging that the tender conditions appeared potentially opaque and contradictory to Public Works Department (PWD) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines. The court also criticized L&T for suppressing material facts and underlined the importance of full disclosure when invoking its jurisdiction. Although the interim stay on bid opening was lifted, the court directed MMRDA to preserve the financial bids for two weeks, maintaining L&T’s right to challenge the final award. L&T plans to appeal the decision in the Supreme Court.

The 14.8 km infrastructure project, including a 5 km tunnel and a 9.8 km elevated road along Vasai Creek, is expected to become the country’s second-longest road project, following the 22 km Atal Setu.

Sources