In a significant development, GMR Group has sought some time from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to discuss the initial development plan (IDP) for Delhi Airport. The government has invited the consortia of GMR–Fraport on February 22 and GVK–ACSA on February 23 to discuss the IDP.
Since the IDP of both these consortia was below expectation, it is learnt that the government has informally invited them to discuss the IDP and suggest some measures so as to carry on the modernisation programme to build world-class airports. The government has also asked global technical advisors (GTA) Air Plan and financial advisor ABN Amro to participate in the meeting. Originally, the government wanted to hold this meeting on either February 15 or 16, but since the advisors were not available, it was decided to move the needle to the last week of the month.
Sources said that GMR had informally asked for around 10 days' time, saying that its technical team was not in the country and would take some time to return. However, sources further said that GMR did not want to discuss the IDP while a case was being heard in the Delhi High Court. When contacted, a senior GMR board member refused to comment. “We have decided not to comment till the court case is on,” he said.
In fact, GMR had submitted its own alternative development plan at the time of bidding, other than what was mandated by the request for proposal (RFP).
{{/usCountry}}In fact, GMR had submitted its own alternative development plan at the time of bidding, other than what was mandated by the request for proposal (RFP).
{{/usCountry}}Sources said that it was not decided yet whether this alternative plan would be accepted by AAI and the advisors.
During the bidding, GMR had submitted multiple names for key positions in the joint venture and requested that once the award was given, it would provide a final list of names.
The RFP has made it mandatory for each bidder to suggest the names of key persons in the JV. Sources said that GMR was yet to suggest the list of key officials to the AAI. It is believed that this could be used as the reason for the delay.
GVK-ACSA has scored purely on the merit of its financial bid, hence it has no issue on discussing the IDP on February 23. However, sources said that this meeting might also be deferred in the backdrop of the new development.
The government has charted out a tight schedule for the whole week to complete the handover process. AAI has convened its board meeting on Monday. In fact, it held a board meeting last Thursday but since two government nominees were not present, it did not discuss any part of the agenda.
On the Monday board meeting, sources said that the AAI chairman would informally apprise the board of modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports.
On Tuesday, AAI has decided to hold a one-day workshop for both the consortia where the ‘dos and don'ts' will be explained to them. For the next two days —Wednesday and Thursday — AAI has planned to discuss the IDP with each of the consortia.