DLF sole bidder in Haryana's recreation, leisure project

DLF sole bidder in Haryana's recreation, leisure project
Business Standard, August 19, 2009, Page 4

Neeraj Thakur / New Delhi

The Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) has disqualified Unitech and Malaysia-based Country Heights Holdings on technical grounds from bidding for its 350-acre recreation and leisure project in Gurgaon, according to sources in HSIIDC.

With this, only DLF remains as the bidder and is likely to be awarded the project unless HSIIDC decides to invite bids once again.

“DLF is the strongest contender for the project after the disqualification of two consortiums led by Unitech and Country Heights Holdings,” an HSIIDC official said.

In January 2009, HSIIDC had invited international competitive bids for allotment of 350 acres of prime land on a free-hold basis in Gurgaon. The bid closed on April 30 and DLF emerged as the sole bidder for the project.

However, the corporation invited fresh bids in July this year, as it felt the terms and conditions of the bids posed some problems in the implementation of the project and that is why other parties did not participate in the bidding. It decided to invite fresh bids with some changes in the scheme of project. HSIIDC had kept a reserve price of Rs 11,978 per sq metre for the bid.

The proposed project site is jointly owned by HSIIDC and Haryana Urban Development Authority. A major portion of the site is notified under Sections 4 & 5 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900 and Radar Restriction Zone and any development works in this portion would be permissible only in accordance with the government ordinance.

According to HSIIDC terms, the bidder — individual or a consortium — shall be a listed company in a recognised stock exchange with a minimum networth of Rs 500 crore as on March 31, 2008.

The bidder should also have completed the development of and successfully operated an 18-hole international PGA standard golf course, along with a club house and other facilities for a minimum period of five years.