Another extension for bids for Mopa airport

Panaji: The state government on Monday extended the time for bidders to submit request for proposals (RFP) to construct the greenfield international airport at Mopa by another 13 days, which makes July 25, 2016, the last day for submitting RFPs. This is the fourth such extension.
The last day to submit RFP was on July 11. Director for civil aviation S Shanbogue told TOI that time has been extended so that all bidders could participate in RFP."Two companies have sought time extension to submit their RFPs and the government has decided to extend it," he said.
TOI was the first to report that the government is contemplating to extend the time to submit the RFP as only two companies, including, the airport authority of India (AAI), of the five companies had shown interest in submitting the RFP.
The five participating companies are; GMR, GVK, Airports authority of India (AAI), Essel Infra and Voluptas evelopers. Essel Infra is partnered with Zurich Airports, and Voluptas Developers, which belongs to the Hiranandani group has a tie-up with Vinci Airports, Rome, to develop the Mopa airport.
Government officials said that of the five companies, two companies have decided not to participate in the RFP.
Last month, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) granted its consent to establish the greenfield international airport at Mopa under the Air and Water Acts, with conditions. A board official said that though consent has been granted, any change in the plan— to do with water consumption, waste-water generation, solid waste generation and treatment, air emission and treatment, etc. —will require the bidder to re-apply for consent, once the project is handed over to the bidders.
On October 28, 2015, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change had granted environment clearance to the airport. The proposed airport, located in Mopa, Varconda, Ugvem, Chandel, Casarvarnem and Ambrem on a total of 81,29,455sqm, has a passenger handling capacity of nine million per annum.