After the Capital Development Authority relaxed its previously strict eligibility criteria for road contracts, a large number of construction companies submitted bids for a new road project valued at Rs. 3.58 billion.
A total of 13 firms applied for the project, which involves construction of a 2.7 kilometer stretch of Margalla Avenue to connect it with the Peshawar Motorway M-1. The project also includes construction of an interchange on GT Road.
Last year, the CDA invited bids for five major infrastructure projects, including the Serena Interchange, Murree Road underpass, T Chowk Flyover, Shaheen Chowk, and the F-8 interchange. At that time, the authority imposed strict conditions, including completion of mega projects within very short timelines.
Due to those requirements, only a limited number of firms submitted bids, and four of the five projects worth billions of rupees were awarded to a joint venture of two companies.
This time, after the CDA removed the strict criteria and fast track requirements, a significantly higher number of companies submitted both technical and financial bids. The authority opened the technical bids on Monday, while it will open the financial bids in the coming days after completing the technical evaluation.
Officials said strong competition is expected for the project. A CDA officer said that higher participation generally results in better rates for the authority and added that the response indicates healthy competition.
Sources said the bidders include joint ventures and firms such as Habib Construction Services and ZKB, Maksons, Elum KDC JV, Ikan Sarco JV, New Khan Builders, NPI Construction Engineering, TTC Zarrar JV, Umer Jan Pro Built JV, Wintoos Builders, Asad Contractors, Fast Track Construction, Highways Construction, and Kamran Kundi and Company.