PANJIM: The decks have been cleared for floating the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the proposed Greenfield airport at Mopa with the Centre having cleared the bid document submitted by Goa.
“The Government of India Steering Committee, at a meeting held on Tuesday, approved the bid document submitted by the State,” Director of Civil Aviation Suresh Shanbhogue told Herald.
Shanbhogue said they now expect the RFP to be floated by January 15. The Goa government had announced in the Monsoon session of the Assembly last year that the tender for the project would be finalised by December, 2015. However, the EC for the project was delayed due to opposition from Rainbow warriors.
The government had floated the Request For Qualification (RFQ) for the construction of the airport on October 3, 2014.
Asked why the RFP was delayed, Shanbhogue said the agreement is for a period of 60 years and there are several different departments involved.
“It is almost six to seven agreements, which is finally incorporated in one and hence there are several procedures to be followed which delayed the process,” he said. He added, “However, with the Civil Aviation ministry now clearing the bid document we are expecting the RFP by January 15.”
He said the minutes of the steering committee meeting are expected on Monday and thereafter the necessary changes would be incorporated in the agreement as per the committee’s directions, which will be put before the cabinet and thereafter the RFP issued.
According to government records, five companies – GMR Airports Ltd, Airports Authority of India, Essel Infra projects Limited, GVK Airport Developers Private Limited and Voluptas Developers Private Limited – have submitted technical bids.
