Maha to adopt Swiss Challenge method for infrastructure projects

To facilitate this, the state government is coming up with the Maharashtra Infrastructure Development Enabling Authority Act, 2018

In a major move, the Maharashtra government has decided to adopt ‘Swiss Challenge’ method for developing its infrastructure projects through private players. To facilitate this, the state government is coming up with the Maharashtra Infrastructure Development Enabling Authority Act, 2018. The state cabinet on Tuesday promulgated an ordinance in this regard.

An authority will study such proposals and certify whether they satisfy the purpose and objectives of the state government. (HT)

Under the method, the government receives an unsolicited proposal from a person/company, which is put online. A second person can give suggestions to improve and beat that proposal. It is an internationally accepted method which basically allows innovative ideas in different sectors.

To implement this, the government has also decided to constitute a committee called as ‘Maharashtra Infrastructure Development Enabling Authority’ headed by the chief secretary to clear the proposals.

The authority will study such proposals and certify whether they satisfy the purpose and objectives of the state government, said a senior official from state public works department.

The idea is to promote and use of new concepts, ideas and innovations through public-private partnership for overall development of infrastructure projects, he added.

The person who proposes the idea shall also be capable of executing the project by raising funds through public-private partnership.

Once the proposal is certified by the authority, the state public works department will go for competitive bidding.

A comparison between the original proposal and the most beneficial bidders will be made. The contract will be awarded to the original proposal. In case, if there is any financial difference between the bidders, the person who has submitted the original idea has to agree to complete the project, the official said.