The government’s efforts to select an independent engineer, who is to provide specified services and perform functions listed in the concession agreement signed with Adani Vizhinjam Port Limited (AVPL) for the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport project, received a good response here on Wednesday.
According to A.S. Suresh Babu, managing director, Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited, 16 companies, including some from abroad, and well-known names in the sector, turned up for the pre-proposal conference held in the capital on Wednesday. Authorities here will now have to respond to the queries submitted by these companies, after which they will submit their proposals.
The selection, to be on a quality-cum-cost basis, will also be based on the selection process and terms of reference outlined in the concession agreement signed between the Principal Secretary, Department of Ports, designated as the ‘authority’ for the PPP project, and AVPL. The last date for the proposals is October 21 while the Letter of Award is to be issued 15 days after this.
Attendees
Efforts are on to complete the process by the end of November, Mr. Suresh Babu said. The companies that attended the pre-proposal conference are Egis India; Tata Consulting; Maritumus, BMT India, AMT Australian Marine Technology; AECOM India; Haskoning DHV India; Worley Parsons; Mott Macdonald; STUP Consultants; i-maritime; COWI India; HILL International; TUV India; L&T Infrastructure; and Tata Projects.
Two companies that had responded to the Request for Qualification did not attend the conference.
The authority had earlier floated proposals to select the independent engineer through a two-stage selection process via competitive bidding. The independent engineer was tasked with reviewing the engineering surveys, alignment, land plans design, drawings, construction methodology, quality and environmental monitoring.
Besides, the firm selected for this purpose would have to review the annual maintenance programme and monthly status reports to be furnished by the concessionaire and send comments to the authority.
There would have to be inspections of the port every month.
James Varghese, Principal Secretary (Ports), Mr. Suresh Babu and other officials were present for the conference.
16 companies take part in meeting
Bid to complete process by November
