PANAJI
Work of the Mopa International greenfield Airport in Pernem which was scheduled to start in October will now be delayed by at least another two months as the tendering process for selecting the construction company is yet to be completed.
GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Group (GAL) which has won the bid to develop the Mopa airport had floated a global tender in June this year for the construction work.
The selection process for the construction company is underway and is likely to be finalised by November 20. While October 4 was the last day for queries, the financial bids will be opened in the next phase. According to senior-level sources in GMR, actual construction work of the airport is expected to get underway in December.
Three world-renowned companies have been shortlisted for the construction of the airport, including two international companies Megawide from Philippines and Limak from Turkey. Larsen and Toubro is the lone Indian company in the fray.
Megawide is known for building airport infrastructure, engineering, procurement, construction, progressive property development and renewable energy while Limak is into airports, ports, expressways, dams, hydroelectric power plants besides other allied works. Larsen and Toubro is a big player in construction segment besides being involved in power, metallurgical and material handling, shipbuilding, heavy engineering and metro rail.
While the selection process of the construction company is underway, clearing of the airport site is in progress, including cutting of trees and razing of existing structures. Work on the site office is also on.
It may be recalled that GMR has set a deadline to complete the first phase of the Rs 3000 crore airport by May 2020. The cost of the first phase will is pegged at Rs 1900 crore.
