Wednesday, September 14 2005 18:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The programme for modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai Airports appeared to be on track with Anil Ambani-controlled Reliance Energy, Subhash Chandra's Essel and south India-based GVK and GMR groups today (Sept 14, 2005) submitting their bids, minutes before the deadline.

The Indian majors, apparently unruffled by the withdrawal of Singapore's Changi Airport and Germany's Hochtief Airport Gmbh from their respective consortia for the purpose, had a last minute meeting with Civil Aviation Ministry officials before filing their bids.

A total of six consortia have bid for modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports for which the government had floated the tender document last month.

Those who submitted their bids to the Civil Aviation Ministry include Reliance, Essel, GVK and GMR consortia.

Reliance Airport Developers Pvt Ltd-Reliance Energy Ltd-Aeropuertos Servicios Auxiliiare (ASA) and GMR Infrastructure Ltd-GMR Energy-Fraport AG India Development Fund-Malaysia Airport Sdn Bhd consortia have submitted their bids for both Mumbai and Delhi airport.

The spokespersons of these groups confirmed submitting of the bids to the Civil Aviation Ministry.

Bharti group had, on Septmeber 12, announced it would withdraw from the bidding process after its collaborator Changi Airport of Singapore had expressed its unwillingness to commit to key terms of the tender.

Another major player L&T had to opt out of the process after its German partner Hochtief Airport GmbH also decided to opt out of the bidding process.