The much-anticipated Pune Ring Road project has taken a significant step forward as the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) opened financial bids for its 136.8 km access-controlled highway. Spread across Pune’s eastern and western taluks, this mega-project is a critical urban infrastructure development aimed at easing congestion, improving regional connectivity, and reducing long-distance freight traffic within Pune city.
After months of evaluation, five major contractors — Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL), Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd. (NECL), GR Infraprojects Ltd. (GRIL), PNC Infratech Ltd., and Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd. (RSIIL) — have emerged as the lowest bidders for nine of the project’s twelve packages.
This blog takes a deep dive into the package-wise bidder details, bid values, and the larger implications for Pune’s transport infrastructure.
Background of the Pune Ring Road Project
The Pune Ring Road is designed as a 4–6 lane access-controlled highway, planned to decongest urban traffic by diverting intercity and heavy vehicles away from Pune’s crowded roads.
- Project Length: 136.8 km
- Implementing Agency: Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC)
- Configuration: Divided into 12 civil packages – 7 in the Eastern Ring Road (ERR) and 5 in the Western Ring Road (WRR)
- District Coverage: Khed, Haveli, Purandar, Bhor, Mulshi, and Maval taluks
- Tendering Timeline:
- RfQ Applications Invited: April 2023
- RfQ Opened: June 2023 (28 firms applied)
- RfP Round: December 2023 (18 firms qualified)
- Financial Bids Submitted: April 2024 (26 bids from 12 firms)
- Construction Deadline: 900 days (approx. 2.5 years)
With Pune rapidly urbanizing, this road is not just a bypass but also a logistics backbone that will support industrial hubs and improve connectivity to Mumbai, Satara, Ahmednagar, and other regions.
Package-Wise Bid Results
Here’s a detailed package-wise breakdown of bidders, their bid values, and the lowest bidder for each contract.
Package E1 – Urse to Indori (11.85 km)
| Bidder | Bid Value (₹ Cr.) | Lowest Bidder |
|---|---|---|
| Megha Engineering | 2524.92 | Megha Engineering |
| Navayuga Engineering | 2633.00 |
Estimated Cost: ₹1805 Cr
Observation: MEIL’s winning bid was 39.88% higher than MSRDC’s estimate, reflecting the rising cost of construction materials and execution challenges.
Package E2 – Indori to Chimbali (13.80 km)
| Bidder | Bid Value (₹ Cr.) | Lowest Bidder |
|---|---|---|
| PNC Infratech | 2486.00 | PNC Infratech |
| Welspun | 2548.90 | |
| HG Infra | 2586.11 | |
| L&T | 2612.80 | |
| J Kumar Infra | 2626.00 |
Estimated Cost: ₹1706 Cr
Observation: PNC’s bid is 45.72% higher than MSRDC’s estimate, showing a sharp deviation between projected and actual costs.
Package E3A & E3B – Chimbali to Lonikand (21.20 km)
| Bidder | Bid Value (₹ Cr.) | Lowest Bidder |
|---|---|---|
| Megha Engineering | 2756.86 | Megha Engineering |
| Navayuga Engineering | 2855.00 |
Estimated Cost: ₹1991 Cr
Observation: MEIL further consolidated its presence in the eastern corridor by bagging this long stretch.
Package E4 – Lonikand to Walti (24.50 km)
| Bidder | Bid Value (₹ Cr.) | Lowest Bidder |
|---|---|---|
| Roadway Solutions | 2251.00 | Roadway Solutions |
| GR Infra | 2316.07 | |
| APCO Infratech | 2342.00 | |
| PNC Infratech | 2396.00 |
Estimated Cost: ₹1732 Cr
Observation: A breakthrough for RSIIL, a relatively smaller player compared to MEIL and NECL, winning one of the longest stretches.
Package W1 – Urse to Kemsewadi (14.65 km)
| Bidder | Bid Value (₹ Cr.) | Lowest Bidder |
|---|---|---|
| Megha Engineering | 2661.79 | Megha Engineering |
| Navayuga Engineering | 2775.00 |
Estimated Cost: ₹1904 Cr
Observation: MEIL bagged another key package, strengthening its hold on WRR.
Package W2 – Kemsewadi to Morewadi (20.00 km)
| Bidder | Bid Value (₹ Cr.) | Lowest Bidder |
|---|---|---|
| Navayuga Engineering | 2702.00 | Navayuga Engineering |
| Afcons Infrastructure | 2824.00 | |
| Megha Engineering | 2884.00 |
Estimated Cost: ₹1975 Cr
Observation: NECL marked its first western section win, beating Afcons and MEIL.
Package W3 – Morewadi to Vardade Khamgaon (14.00 km)
| Bidder | Bid Value (₹ Cr.) | Lowest Bidder |
|---|---|---|
| Navayuga Engineering | 2696.00 | Navayuga Engineering |
| Megha Engineering | 2812.00 | |
| Afcons | 2874.00 |
Estimated Cost: ₹1980 Cr
Observation: NECL’s competitive pricing allowed it to win back-to-back WRR packages.
Package W4 – Vardade Khamgaon to Kalyan Rahatwade (7.50 km)
| Bidder | Bid Value (₹ Cr.) | Lowest Bidder |
|---|---|---|
| Navayuga Engineering | 2724.00 | Navayuga Engineering |
| Afcons | 2823.00 |
Estimated Cost: ₹1992 Cr
Observation: NECL bagged its third western package, signaling a strong comeback.
Package W5 – Kalyan Rathwade to Shivare Kusgaon (9.30 km)
| Bidder | Bid Value (₹ Cr.) | Lowest Bidder |
|---|---|---|
| GR Infra | 1997.07 | GR Infra |
| Gawar | 2089.00 | |
| HG Infra | 2122.11 |
Estimated Cost: ₹1533 Cr
Observation: GRIL secured one package in WRR, ensuring its participation in the project.
Summary of Wins
| Contractor | Packages Won | Key Stretches |
|---|---|---|
| Megha Engineering | 3 | E1, E3A/B, W1 |
| Navayuga Engineering | 4 | W2, W3, W4, close second in others |
| PNC Infratech | 1 | E2 |
| GR Infra | 1 | W5 |
| Roadway Solutions | 1 | E4 |
Challenges Ahead
While the bidding process is complete, the project faces a serious financial hurdle. The lowest bids are 30–45% higher than MSRDC’s estimates, creating a funding deadlock.
- E1 Example: MEIL’s bid was ₹2524.92 Cr vs. an estimate of ₹1805 Cr (≈ 40% higher).
- E2 Example: PNC’s winning bid was 45.72% above estimates.
Unless MSRDC increases its project budget or alters the project scope, there is a risk of delays or even re-tendering.
Why Pune Needs the Ring Road
- Traffic Decongestion: Will divert heavy vehicles, reducing inner-city jams.
- Regional Connectivity: Links industrial hubs in Chakan, Talegaon, and Hinjawadi.
- Economic Growth: Eases logistics, benefiting Pune’s IT and auto sectors.
- Environmental Benefits: Less city traffic means reduced emissions.
MSRDC on Tuesday also opened bids for 5 other expressway projects – and things don’t look too bright for them either. Check out each link below for a list of winners:
- 126 km Virar – Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor (VAMMC) around Mumbai
- 179.85 km Jalna – Nanded Expressway
- 127 km Nagpur – Gondia Expressway
- 182 km Nagpur – Chandrapur Expressway
- 156 km Bhandara – Gachiroli Expressway’s Package BG-01
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