According to L&T, it submitted its technical bid on December 13, 2024, which was opened by MMRDA on January 1, 2025. However, since then, L&T has not received any communication regarding the evaluation of its bid.
NEW DELHI: 26th May: The Supreme Court of India on Monday showed serious concern over a petition filed by engineering major Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which has alleged irregularities in a Rs 14,000 crore tender process initiated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for two massive road construction projects in Maharashtra.
L&T had approached the Supreme Court after the Bombay High Court rejected its plea to stay the opening of bids for the project. L&T claimed that the bidding process was unfair, and it was treated differently from other bidders.
According to L&T, it submitted its technical bid on December 13, 2024, which was opened by MMRDA on January 1, 2025. However, since then, L&T has not received any communication regarding the evaluation of its bid.
“This is thousands of crores of public money. Please take instructions, else we will stay this order,” Chief Justice of India BR Gavai told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for MMRDA.
L&T had challenged the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for not informing them about the status of their bid in a Rs.6,000 crore infrastructure project.
The project in question is the massive Thane-Ghodbunder to Bhayandar tunnel and elevated road. L&T claimed that despite participating in the bidding process, MMRDA neither opened their price bid nor informed them of the outcome, prompting the legal challenge.
During the hearing, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, heading the bench with CJI B.R. Gavai, expressed serious concern over the handling of the project, especially given the scale of public funds involved.
CJI Gavai firmly remarked, “This involves thousands of crores of public money. Please take clear instructions—otherwise, we’ll have to stay this order.”
The top judge stressed the importance of public interest in financial decisions and pointed out L&T’s strong track record in large infrastructure projects.
He added, “The question of money becomes critical when public interest is at stake. Look at the bidder’s reputation—this is the same company entrusted with constructing the Central Vista, and now this!”
In response, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the MMRDA, clarified that the financial bid submitted by L&T was never even opened.
He said, “We never opened their price bid. Now, the appellant is the one revealing their bid details.”
A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih heard the matter on Monday and expressed its displeasure over the way MMRDA handled L&T’s bid.
“This is thousands of crores of public money. Please take instructions, else we will stay this order,” reiterated CJI Gavai, indicating the importance of transparency in handling such high-value public projects.
The bench asked MMRDA’s legal team to seek fresh instructions on their stance regarding L&T’s grievances.
At the end of the hearing, the CJI ordered that the matter be taken up again later in the week. CJI Gavai said, “List this matter for Thursday.”
On May 23, another bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice JB Pardiwala had heard the urgent plea and referred the matter to the Chief Justice’s bench citing “extreme urgency”.
The tender in question relates to a significant project announced by MMRDA on July 27, 2024. It involves:
- An underground twin road tunnel from Gaimukh to Fountain Hotel Junction on Thane’s Ghodbunder Road.
- The twin tunnels will be 5 km long, with an estimated cost of Rs 8,000 crore.
- The tunnel is part of a larger 15 km road project connecting Gaimukh to Bhayander and forms a vital extension of the Mumbai Coastal Road project.
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