Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the nodal agency for the implementation of proposed Versova-Virar Sea Link, has extended the tender deadline till July 20 regarding the appointment of consultant to prepare project detailed report (DPR). According to the official, the bid submission timeline has been extended by one more month as cold response was received to the previously floated tender. "This could be due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation which has taken a toll on all proposed and ongoing infrastructure development projects," the official asserted.
According to the MSRDC, only those consultant /Lead Member of Joint Venture who have minimum 15 years of experience in the services are eligible. Moreover, prior experience of preparation of DPR and pre-tender services for one bridge project (road or rail) over sea/river/creek costing not less than Rs. 13,000 crore at current prices, anywhere in the world in the last ten years is mandatory for participation.
Once the eligible consultant is appointed the broad scope of services includes environmental, land acquisition, socio-economic, financial & legal services including obtaining statutory clearances and pre-tender services for the implementation of the Versova-Virar Sea Link along with the preparing the DPR, the MSRDC office stated.
The proposed Versova-Virar Sea Link project is about 42.75 km long comprising 4+4 lanes in sea connecting Versova end of the under-construction Versova Bandra Sea Link Project to Virar, including connectors that brings the total length about 85.27 km.
The Free Press Journal had reported that the Versova-Virar Sea Link project will be executed in two phases. In phase 1, the project will be till Vasai and it will extend further (Phase 2 till Virar) only after obtaining clearance from heritage office as the Phase 2 alignment towards Virar passes from ancient Arnala fort and fishing area. Considering all these factors, in the pre-feasibility report the expert had suggested that to prevent any impact on project work, it is essential to divide it into two phases.
