Allegations of Tender Rigging in MMRDA Projects Raise Serious Concerns

Mumbai’s infrastructure ambitions have once again come under scrutiny, this time over allegations of large-scale irregularities in the tendering processes of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Senior Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) leader and Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), Adv. Anil Parab, has accused the authority of systematic rigging and cartelization, claiming it has led to significant financial losses for the public exchequer.

A Pattern of Irregularities

According to Parab, several high-value infrastructure projects are at the center of these concerns. These include tenders related to fiber optic cable installation on the Atal Setu, the BKC–Chunabhatti connector, and the construction of a Foot Over Bridge (FoB) at Vikhroli. He alleges that the tendering process in these projects has been manipulated to favor select contractors, raising serious questions about transparency and accountability.

In a formal communication addressed to Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, Parab has called for immediate intervention, highlighting what he describes as “large-scale irregularities” that undermine fair competition.

The Vikhroli FoB Case

One of the most striking examples cited is the ₹90 crore tender for the Vikhroli Foot Over Bridge. Despite the tender closing over two months ago, it reportedly remains unopened. Initially, eight bidders had participated in the process. However, Parab alleges that six of these bidders were pressured into withdrawing, leaving only two contenders in the fray.

He further claims that the contract is now being steered toward a specific company, raising suspicions of a predetermined outcome. In response, Parab has demanded that the tender either be opened transparently in the presence of all stakeholders or be cancelled and reissued altogether. He has also suggested strict action against the companies that withdrew, including blacklisting and forfeiture of their security deposits.

Repeated Extensions Raise Eyebrows

Another issue flagged is the repeated extension of the Atal Setu fiber optic cable tender. According to Parab, the tender has been extended between eight to ten times since February, allegedly without valid justification. Such repeated extensions, he argues, are indicative of an attempt to benefit a particular bidder.

This, he claims, reflects a broader and troubling trend within the MMRDA—a “new modus operandi” where tenders are floated, multiple bids are invited, and then certain bidders are allegedly coerced into stepping aside, paving the way for a preferred contractor.

Demand for Transparency and Accountability

In light of these allegations, Parab has sought detailed disclosures from the MMRDA. He has requested information on all tenders issued since January 2026 that have been extended more than three times. This includes details such as the nature of the work, estimated costs, names of participating bidders, those who withdrew, and the final awarded contractor.

Warning of Escalation

Parab has also issued a strong warning: if these issues are not addressed promptly, he intends to escalate the matter to oversight bodies such as the Lokayukta and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), as well as raise it in the upcoming legislative assembly session.

A Test for Institutional Credibility

These allegations, if substantiated, could have far-reaching implications not only for the MMRDA but also for public trust in infrastructure governance. Transparent and competitive tendering is the backbone of public infrastructure development. Any deviation from this principle risks inflating costs, compromising quality, and eroding public confidence.

As Mumbai continues to expand and invest heavily in infrastructure, the need for robust oversight and accountability mechanisms has never been more critical. Whether these allegations lead to concrete action remains to be seen—but they have undoubtedly sparked an urgent conversation about transparency in public procurement.