Why Anil Parab is Raising Red Flags Over MMRDA Tenders
2 min readMumbaiApr 19, 2026 03:45 PM IST
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab Sunday alleged large-scale bid rigging and cartelisation in tenders floated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, claiming the process is causing losses to the public exchequer.
In a letter to Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, the Sena (UBT) MLC flagged alleged irregularities in tenders related to fibre optic cabling on the Atal Setu, the BKC–Chunabhatti connector, and a foot over bridge (FoB) at Vikhroli.
Parab alleged a pattern in which tenders are floated and bids invited, after which some bidders are pressured to withdraw, reducing competition before contracts are awarded to a preferred firm.
Referring to the Rs 90-crore Vikhroli FoB project, Parab said eight bidders had initially participated, but six later withdrew. The tender, he said, has not been opened even 2 months after the closing, raising concerns about transparency.
He demanded that the bids be opened in the presence of all bidders or the tender be cancelled and reissued, and called for action against firms that withdrew.
Parab also pointed to repeated deadline extensions in the Atal Setu fibre optic tender, stating it has been extended “eight to ten times” since February without clear justification, allegedly to favour a particular bidder.
He has sought details of all tenders since January 2026 that have been extended more than three times, including participating bidders and final awards.
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Parab warned that if corrective steps are not taken, he would approach the Lokayukta and the Central Vigilance Commission and raise the issue in the Assembly.
The MMRDA had not responded to the allegations.
