HC stays opening of bids for Thane road tunnel
Mumbai: The
Bombay High Court
vacation bench on Tuesday stayed the opening of financial bids for the Thane-Ghodbunder to Bhayandar tunnel and elevated road project. This project is touted to be the second longest flyover after the Atal Setu, which connects Sewri to Nhava over the creek.
The Elevated Road is proposed to be an extension to the
Mumbai Coastal Road Project
and envisages a 9.80 km bridge along the Vasai creek. The stay was granted by HC on a plea by construction giant
Larsen & Toubro
(L&T), which said it had received no intimation regarding the fate of its bids unlike other contenders. The matter has been posted for hearing first on the board on Wednesday.The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had invited bids for the project last July.
L&T, represented by senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, said it submitted technical and financial bids on Dec 30, 2024. The technical bids were opened by MMRDA on Jan 1, 2025 and were under evaluation since.
L&T said it has received no intimation from MMRDA so far on the outcome of the evaluation of its bids.The company argued that without informing it of the result of the evaluation, the financial bids were scheduled to be opened on May 13. Senior counsel Dwarkadas, seeking an urgent stay on the opening of the bids, said his client was "not a fly-by-night operator. It's one of the leading firms having been associated with some of Mumbai's largest public infrastructure projects." L&T said it recently learnt that some other bidders had received an intimation regarding the opening of the financial bids. Hence, L&T had approached the court to challenge MMRDA's move and seek an urgent stay. Dwarkadas said if financial bids were opened to the exclusion of L&T, it would be contrary to a fair and transparent tender process and well-established legal principles.MMRDA, through solicitor general Tushar Mehta at the hearing before a division bench of Justices Kamal Khata and Arif Doctor, said it was not required to convey to L&T that its bid was found to be unresponsive before opening the financial bids. To this, Dwarkadas said it was unfair for MMRDA to state this orally in court without supplying reasons or grounds for the rejection. Mehta argued that the very fact that L&T was not invited for the financial bid opening meant that its bid was not found responsive. MMRDA was within its rights to open the financial bids and communicate the outcome of the technical evaluation without informing L&T.The company, however, argued that it would be "discriminatory, arbitrary and in violation of the principles of natural justice…with serious consequence of depriving L&T of its valuable constitutional rights..."Mehta said the MMRDA action was justified given that the project is in public interest. The financial bids were to be opened at 11 am and 11:30 am for the Road Tunnel Project and the Elevated Road Project, respectively. The court ordered that until it hears the matter at length on May 14, "financial bids shall not be opened by the Respondent-MMRDA."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
Probability of inquiry from tax dept could be higher in old tax regime, says Preeti Sharma of BDO India
Income Tax (I-T) department has released online utilities for ITR-1 and ITR-4 but not yet for ITR-2 and ITR-3. As soon as they are released, taxpayers are recommended to start the process of filing their tax returns, suggests Preeti Sharma, Partner, Global Employer Services, Tax & Regulatory Services of BDO India. In an email interview with MintGenie, she shares her views on income tax forms, new tax regime, importance to engage an expert for filing of income tax return and recommendations for the tax department. The due date of filing Income-tax return for the Financial Year 2024-25 has been extended from 31 July 2025 to 15 September 2025. This is owing to the introduction of significant changes in the ITR forms. The online utility for Form ITR 1 and ITR 4 is already notified. However, Form ITR 2 and ITR 3 are not yet available for filing. It is expected that new online forms will be pre-filled with maximum possible information based on the Significant Financial Transactions being reported by multiple departments and divisions across India. Once the ITR form applicable to you is available for filing, it is recommended to start the process of filing your tax return rather than waiting for the due date. This will have the following benefits: Online form will be pre-filled with your income, TDS and other tax payment details. If you start the process early, you will have time to validate the information, and raise dispute with the tax department if the information is not captured accurately. At the same time, if TDS and TCS are not reflecting, liaise with the deductor to take corrective action. The new date is an extension for filing of your tax return. However, the advance tax payment obligation remains the same. If you have not paid advance taxes and prefer to pay tax at the time of filing of your tax return, you will incur additional interest obligation for the delay in payment of taxes if you defer the tax payment exercise to September. Early filing of ITR can help in avoiding technical glitches and server downtime due to last-minute rush. As has been seen in past years, as initially fewer individuals opt to file the tax returns, their returns also get processed faster. No major changes are anticipated in the tax return form and return filing process owing to the introduction of the new Income-Tax Act. The new Act aims to reduce legal complexity; however, the major income heads and concept of taxation are kept as they are. We can expect changes in the forms, including renumbering of section, revised tax slabs and rebates amount, however, largely no major changes are expected in the tax filing process. There is no standard answer as identification of a beneficial tax regime mainly depends on an individual's structure, available deductions. The old tax regime offers various deductions & exemptions such as House Rent Allowance, Leave Travel Allowance, and popular deductions under Section 80C (investment Provident Fund, Life Insurance policies, etc.) and Section 80D (health insurance premium), etc. On the other hand, the new tax regime was introduced to simplify the tax structure; hence, the above-mentioned deductions/ exemptions are not available in the new regime, but it offers lower income-tax rates as compared to the old regime. The new regime is beneficial for those who do not have major exemptions or deductions to claim and prefer hassle-free filing. Although a case-specific calculation is recommended, but at the high level, if you expect all your exemptions / deductions are likely to be more than ₹ 4,00,000, old regime may have lower tax liability. But at the same time, be mindful that you have to maintain full documentary evidences to support the deduction/ exemption claimed. The probability of enquiry from tax department is higher if old regime is opted. New regime is the default regime, and if the old regime is not specifically opted in tax return form, the online form will consider new regime while calculating your taxes. Yes, the new ITR-1 forms notified by the CBDT bring several positive and practical changes, particularly benefiting small investors and salaried taxpayers. One such welcome move is the inclusion of long-term capital gains (LTCG) reporting of up to ₹ 1.25 lakhs in the ITR-1 (Sahaj), reducing the need to switch to more complex forms like ITR-2. Other changes that have been introduced: TDS Disclosure: A new column in the TDS schedule requires taxpayers to specify the section under which it is deducted, such as section 192 for salary, section 194A for interest, etc. This might help to reconcile TDS claimed in the ITR by the taxpayer with Form 26AS, potentially minimising mismatches. A specific bank account for refunds by ticking a checkbox next to a pre-validated account may be selected, while all active accounts still need to be reported, regardless of their validation status. Aadhaar: Only the 12-digit Aadhaar number is now accepted. The option to provide an enrolment ID has been removed, which may impact taxpayers awaiting Aadhaar issuance close to the filing deadline. ITR1 and ITR4 are updated with the above, however, we will need to wait for the actual rollout of utilities of other forms to gauge the changes. With the introduction of pre-filled ITR Forms on the e-filing portal based on Form 16, Form 26AS, AIS, TIS, Bank reports, Broker reports, etc., the return filing process has now become easier especially for salaried individuals with only one-two income sources such as bank interest, and some minor capital gains. The portal also provides a step-by-step guidance to help taxpayers file the ITR correctly. For many small taxpayers with limited source of income such as salary and interest, filing their ITR on their own can absolutely be a practical and cost-effective approach. Additionally, the IT department has introduced simplified forms like ITR-1 (Sahaj) & ITR-4 (Sugam), which is designed specifically for such cases. However, if a taxpayer has more complex income — say, capital gains from multiple share transactions, rental income, foreign income, or wants to claim several deductions under the old tax regime, then, it is advisable to consult a tax expert to avoid mistakes that could lead to notices or penalties from the IT Department. Although the IT Department has made commendable progress in digitising and simplifying the tax filing process in recent years, I would like to propose the following changes to improve the return filing process. I. Enhanced accuracy of pre-filled data by strengthening the integration between banks, mutual funds, and SEBI. There are many instances where wrong data is reported in AIS statement of the individual taxpayers. II. More interactive guidance. For example, chatbot explaining sections in simple language and providing suggestions on eligible deductions based on taxpayer's available information III. Speeding up of refund processing and grievance redressal mechanism For all personal finance updates, visit here
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Metro, rail and bus hubs in MMRDA's plan for Dharavi, Infra News, ET Infra
Advt Advt By Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals. Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox. Get updates on your preferred social platform Follow us for the latest news, insider access to events and more. Mumbai: Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) was appointed as the nodal agency to plan and develop a Multimodal Transport Hub (MMTH) as part of Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). This move was formalised through a govt resolution issued on June 18, following a high-level meeting chaired by the chief minister on Apr proposed hub aims to bring Metro, suburban rail, buses, and non-motorised transport under one umbrella, offering seamless integration for commuters passing through Dharavi — one of the city's most densely populated and poorly connected neighbourhoods. MMRDA was asked to coordinate with Dharavi Redevelopment Authority and all transport bodies concerned to draft a comprehensive layout and implementation will also ensure easy access to Sion station on Central Railway and Mahim station on Western Railway, both located on either side of the redevelopment part of the larger redevelopment vision, a second Metro station is being considered for Dharavi. Besides the under-construction Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz), the area is expected to be connected by an extension of Metro Line 11 (Wadala-CSMT). Sources said this line is likely to be extended westward from Wadala to link with Metro Line 3 at Dharavi, enabling a crucial east-west and north-south interchange point. The Rs 16,000 crore Metro Line 11 project, implemented by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), includes two proposed stations—one near Sion and another within support the bus component of the hub, DRP plans to build a modern depot for BEST. In return, 12 acres of land currently occupied by the Dharavi and Kalakilla bus depots in Sion East—which jointly accommodate around 300 buses and house key offices of the transport and power supply divisions—will be handed over for said the plan goes beyond Metro integration, with infrastructure for feeder buses, walking, and cycling for last-mile connectivity. "The intent is to build a future-ready mobility hub, not just a station," said an official. Feeder routes are being drawn up to link nearby areas with Metro and rail stations.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Skoda transforms Superb iV Wagon into L&K 130 hybrid pickup for 130th anniversary
Developed by 28 students from the Skoda Auto Vocational School, this custom project commemorates founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement Notify me In celebration of its 130th anniversary, Skoda has unveiled a one-of-a-kind vehicle that blends its historical roots with modern innovation. Named the L&K 130, the special build is a creative transformation of the Skoda Superb iV wagon into a hybrid pickup, paying tribute to the company's beginnings as a bicycle manufacturer in 1895. Developed by 28 students from the Skoda Auto Vocational School, this custom project commemorates founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement, and it's Skoda's tenth 'Student Car" creation. More than just a showcase of craftsmanship, it's a nod to how far the brand has come—from making bicycles to pioneering plug-in hybrids. Design and concept The L&K 130 is a visual and functional reimagination of the Superb wagon. To accommodate its new pickup profile, students reshaped the B- and C-pillars and removed the rear cargo section. The standout feature is a custom bike rack fitted onto an electrically extendable bed that tilts the bicycles at a 35-degree angle, making room for them even when the tailgate is closed. A third bike can be mounted on the roof, reinforcing the tribute to the brand's cycling origins. Also Read : Skoda Octavia RS spotted in India for the first time. Here's when it will arrive One of the most creative modifications is a re-engineered rear passenger door, which swings outward and slides back—much like a minivan's—featuring dual locking mechanisms and handles. Inside, the three-seat rear bench has been replaced with a single seat, a cool box, and a portable speaker kit, enhancing both comfort and utility for outdoor activities. Features The project is also Skoda's first student-built plug-in hybrid, based on the Superb iV. The front cabin hosts a radio transmitter and a tablet screen that displays live video from a camera mounted at the rear. A specially shaped rear window reinforces the altered silhouette, providing the L&K 130 with a uniform look. Visually, the car features gold, red, black, and white detailing that is reminiscent of the Laurin & Klement badge instead of Skoda's traditional winged arrow logo. The color scheme honors the brand's original identity, and the handcrafted build took over 2,000 hours to complete. Also Read : Skoda Auto India aims for 2.5% market share in FY2026, outlines growth plan Public debut The L&K 130 will make its public debut at the 112th Tour de France next month, where Skoda has been a long-time partner. Even though this student-conceived hybrid pickup won't go into production, it is an intriguing demonstration of Skoda's insistence on combining heritage with out-of-the-box thinking. Less a display piece, the L&K 130 is a moving tribute to a heritage launched on wheels—initially two, and later four. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 22 Jun 2025, 09:00 AM IST
