Toll collection on Mumbai-Pune e-way to go beyond 2019, six firms bid for rights.

With the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) having decided to extend toll collection on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway beyond the current concession period ending 2019, six companies have queued up vying to win toll collection rights for the 95-km stretch. Firms such as IL&FS, Reliance Infrastructure, Patel Engineering, Essel Infrastructure, Ashoka Buildcon and IRB Infrastructure had evinced interest in the contract and have been declared eligible for bidding for it.

'The Mumbai-Pune expressway is a very busy corridor. There are fixed toll booths and no by-passes, so there are hardly any leakages. Moreover, as of now, the company in charge of toll collection earns close to Rs. 360 crore every year in toll revenue on the expressway. We have got a good response as it is a very lucrative contract,' a senior MSRDC official said requesting anonymity.

The MSRDC has invited financial bids from the six qualified companies with the last date for bid submissions being August 21. 'The company that quotes the lowest concession period will be the most preferred bidder. The tendering process should be completed in the next month or so,' the official said.


THE INDIAN EXPRESS