GVK Power & Infrastructure Ltd is close to bagging the mandate for the mega ₹16,000 crore Navi Mumbai greenfield airport project with the Project Monitoring Committee approving its financial bid.

As per the procedure, the committee will recommend the GVK bid to the Maharashtra government and the Cabinet will provide its stamp of final approval. GMR was the other bidder. The Letter of Intent, which the GVK management is anxiously waiting to begin works, will be issued by the City and Industrial Development Corporation. The LoI has seen inordinate delay.

Significantly, couple of major pre-airport development works worth over ₹2,000 crore have been awarded. This includes site levelling, removal of a major rock, reclamation of land, changing water course and rehabilitation of people living in three villages. The rehabilitation of villagers too, is at advanced stage and expected soon. The phase one of the project is expected to be ready within 36 months of commencement of work. Reportedly, the project would be developed by MIAL and there would not be any need for a special purpose vehicle. The ₹16,000-crore PPP project will have equity of 74 per cent for MIAL, the Airports Authority of India and CIDCO 13 per cent each. The construction work at the site may commence before the end of this year

This update is authored by Clasis Law, Clyde & Co's associated firm in India

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.