MSEDCL Mumbai FRP Fencing Tender Draws Pushback as Rules Limit Competition

INDUSTRY WARNS OF REDUCED COMPETITION: higher costs if criteria remain unchanged Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 20: Maharashtra’s ambitious plan to introduce FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic) fencing around distribution transformers, touted as a first-of-its-kind safety measure, is facing pushback from industry players who say the tender conditions are too restrictive and risk shutting out most capable vendors.

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Mumbai (MSEDCL Mumbai) recently floated the tender, but its pre-qualification requirements have raised eyebrows. According to industry insiders, the criteria are so narrow that only a handful of companies can participate, with one Gujarat-based firm meeting them fully. This, they argue, undermines the very objective of fostering innovation and competitive pricing in a project of such scale.

“The current eligibility conditions virtually eliminate competition. A project of this importance should not be reduced to a contest between one or two firms,” said an industry observer, adding that restrictive norms could inflate costs and create monopolistic conditions.

Source: PTI News

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