Panel asked to explain ratings

Sreedharan has been asked to respond at the earliest, so that the eGoM can next meet on January 24.

The eGOM on airport modernisation has sought more clarifications from the experts committee under DMRC chief E Sreedharan on its revaluation of bidders so that the government can meet its deadline of completing the transaction before January 31, says Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel.

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Sreedharan has been asked to respond at the earliest, so that the eGoM can next meet on January 24, sources said.

The sources said the Sreedharan panel had been asked to suggest the three best bidders for the Delhi and Mumbai airports. The panel has been asked to add one more name for both the airports — apart from the existing two (GMR, Reliance) who have already been qualified by the consultants. The aim: to increase competition.

Several eGoM members were said to be unhappy with the panel's recommendations. It was thought that the suggestions were fraught with legal implications and could cause delays.

The eGoM also reportedly rejected the Planning Commission's plans to go for the special purpose vehicle (SPV) route to modernise the airports. The view was that if the Airports Authority of India floated an SPV, it would be difficult for it to raise resources from overseas investors.