Ashoka Buildcon Ltd. has emerged as the sole bidder for the construction of the Bankot Creek Bridge, a major infrastructure project set to connect Bankot in Ratnagiri District with Bagmandla in Raigad District, Maharashtra. The bridge, which spans the Savitri River, will be part of the Revas-Reddi Coastal Highway (SH-4), helping to cut down travel times along the Arabian Sea coast.
Project Overview
The 1.7 km Bankot Creek Bridge is part of a larger series of bridge projects initiated by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). These new bridges are designed to connect towns and reduce driving times across creeks and rivers.
| Project Details | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Location | Bankot Creek (SH-4), Maharashtra |
| Districts | Ratnagiri & Raigad |
| River | Savitri River |
| Length | 1.7 km |
| Contractor | Ashoka Buildcon Ltd. (sole bidder) |
| Mode | EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) |
| Estimated Cost | Rs. 272.88 crore |
| Bid Value by Ashoka Buildcon | To be disclosed |
| Previous Lowest Bid (July) | Rs. 355.99 crore (by NCC) |
| Previous Bid’s Deviation | 30.45% above estimate |
| Tender Re-invitation Date | August 2024 |
| Project Deadline | 3 years |
Project Significance
The bridge will significantly improve connectivity along the Revas-Reddi Coastal Highway (SH-4), which runs parallel to the Arabian Sea. This bridge is one of several that are being developed to ensure seamless travel between coastal towns and boost the local economy.
Key Bridges on Revas-Reddi Coastal Highway (SH-4)
There are eight major bridges planned or under construction along the Revas-Reddi Highway. Here is the current status of each project:
| Bridge | Location | Current Status | Lowest Bidder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agardanda Creek Bridge | Agardanda | Technical Bid Completed | HCC |
| Dharamtar Creek Bridge | Dharamtar | Technical Bid Completed | Afcons Infrastructure |
| Jaigad Creek Bridge | Jaigad | Technical Bid Completed | Ashoka Buildcon |
| Kundalika Bridge | Kundalika | Technical Bid Completed | Ashoka Buildcon |
| Kunkeshwar Bridge | Kunkeshwar | Technical Bid Completed | Vijay M Mistry Construction |
| Kalbadevi Bridge | Kalbadevi | Technical Bid Completed | Vijay M Mistry Construction |
| Bankot Creek Bridge | Bankot | Ashoka Buildcon is the only bidder (This post!) | Ashoka Buildcon |
| Dabhol Creek Bridge | Dabhol | Tender Cancelled in June | N/A |
Retendering Process & Concerns
This is a retender after MSRDC had previously received four bids, with NCC emerging as the lowest bidder in July 2024. However, NCC’s bid of Rs. 355.99 crore was 30.45% higher than MSRDC’s estimate of Rs. 272.88 crore, which led to the tender cancellation. A fresh round of bidding was invited in August 2024.
Whether MSRDC will proceed with Ashoka Buildcon as the sole bidder remains to be seen. If satisfied, MSRDC will move forward with the evaluation of Ashoka's technical bid before proceeding to financial negotiations. If not, the tender may be re-invited once again.
Financial Comparison
Below is a comparison between the estimated cost, previous bids, and expected future costs:
| Tender Details | Value (Rs. Crore) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| MSRDC’s Estimate | 272.88 | MSRDC’s estimated cost for the project |
| Previous Lowest Bid (NCC) | 355.99 | 30.45% higher than estimate |
| Current Bid by Ashoka | TBD | To be evaluated |
Outlook & Next Steps
Should MSRDC approve Ashoka’s bid, we can expect project groundwork to commence in late 2024, with the construction completed over a period of three years. This project, along with others along the Revas-Reddi Coastal Highway, will dramatically improve connectivity between coastal towns and boost regional development.
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