MMRDA cancels Rs 500 cr monorail tender as both bids were from Chinese manufacturers

Amid Indo-China stand-off, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) cancelled bidding process for a Rs 500 crore morail tender since both bid that y h received were from Chinese manufacturers. According to transport and infrastructure authority, two China-based companies h responded to bid -- China Rail Ro Corporation and Build Your Dream, who were asking for revisions in terms and conditions and eligibility criteria, even after uploing of CSDs. 

MMRDA Commissioner RA Rajeev in a press release stated that "In  current ecomic situation due to COVID-19, as well as with policies anunced by Government of India to encour 'Make In India' schemes,  it has been decided to look for an Indian Techlogy partner for development and long term support."

He furr ded that considering this, present tender has been cancelled, and re-tendering process will start immediately with revised eligibility criteria such as manufacturing facilities established in India for last 10 years on similar projects to enable participation of Indian companies.

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Furr, authority's release stated that along with it, y have also decided to initiate a dialogue with Indian manufacturers like BHEL, BEML, and so on. According to m, y do t want to create a "Scomi-like situation" where y've to depend on foreign manufacturers for spare parts of morail coaches. "In situation that two Chinese companies are dictating us to change tender conditions, MMRDA ministration has decided to search for techlogy partners in India and develop it in India," stated release. 

Rs 500 crore morail project is for sourcing 10 rakes for  Jacob Circle-Wala-Chembur morail line in Mumbai. bidding process is for  design, manufacture, supply, testing, and commissioning of rakes. Meanwhile, current situation between India and China has put Chinese contractors on Indian infrastructure projects under ditional scrutiny.

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India-China face-off

As many as 20 Indian Army soldiers were martyred during a violent face-off between India and China while de-escalation process was underway in  Galwan Valley. According to  Editor-in-Chief of Chinese mouthpiece Global Times, Chinese side also suffered casualties during physical clash. Sources revealed that an Indian colonel was attacked by Chinese Army personnel with iron rods without any provocation leing to a strong retaliation from Indian side. As per US intelligence reports, 35 Chinese soldiers have been killed.

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