Mumbai: Following queries raised by prospective bidders concerning the tender for the bioremediation of 185 lakh tons of legacy waste at the Deonar landfill, the BMC is expected to extend the bid submission deadline. Approximately 21 companies and consultants participated in the pre-bid meeting held on May 23 for the tender valued at Rs. 2,368 crores.
During the pre-bid meeting, prospective bidders raised several critical concerns. Foremost among these was the availability of additional land parcels necessary for depositing the treated solid waste. Many bidders also questioned the practicality of clearing such an enormous volume of waste within the stringent three-year deadline.
Furthermore, they sought detailed clarification on the procedures for securing environmental clearances and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) permissions from the state government. Bidders also inquired whether the BMC would designate a dedicated nodal officer to streamline and facilitate these approvals.
“Given the complexity of the project, bidders have requested additional time to thoroughly study the tender documents. The current deadline for submission is June 3, but it is likely to be extended,” said a civic official.
Deonar dumping ground, one of Mumbai’s oldest and largest, has been in operation since 1927 and is burdened with towering heaps of waste. Spanning 120 hectares, it continues to pose a significant environmental challenge.
On May 14, the BMC issued a tender for a large-scale legacy waste remediation project at Deonar. The plan involves clearing around 185 lakh tonnes of waste, with 1,200 vehicles mobilised to remove 2,300 tonnes daily. The project is expected to be completed within three years.
