Four infrastructure players have shown interest at the pre-bid stage as the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) issued fresh tenders for developing the Nagpur Multi-Modal Logistics Park (NMMLP). Also known as Sindi dry port, it is one of the pet projects of Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari.

This is one of the 35 multi-modal logistics parks being built across the country as part of a broader plan to improve logistics cost and efficiency under govt's Gati Shakti programme. The plan is to develop the facility on 150 acres with a total investment of ?660 crore at Sindi along Nagpur-Wardha border.

A pre-bid meeting was held recently in which representatives of four companies took part. This would be followed by technical and financial bids if the companies plan to proceed, said sources. Meanwhile, Delta Corp, which was initially awarded the contract in 2023, moved the court. The re-tendering was initiated after NHLML terminated the contract with Delta Corp, the UK-based company whose subsidiary was awarded the deal to develop Sindi dry port. NHLML terminated the contract citing slow progress and missing milestones.

Delta Corp shared a note with TOI, citing its objection against the re-tendering. The company claims the termination is premature and illegal. It says even considering a re-tender while the minimum guarantee exceeding ?360 crore to the govt remains in force would neither be prudent nor in the public interest. The step could prolong litigation and delay the critical project.

The note says, "Despite early mobilization, the company faced repeated procedural delays in getting approvals from various authorities, including the appointed independent engineer. The final master plans were approved only in January 2025, around six months after the date of appointment. The engineering procurement and construction (EPC) work started within weeks of getting approvals. The project was firmly on track for completion by July 2026 as envisaged originally," says the company.

The company's note further states that the record shows consistent progress, full mobilization, and no default or delay from its side.

Extensive commercial activity was lined up by mid-2025, with major players in steel and automotive sectors preparing to commence operations by October. The plans were disrupted by the termination,

which caused a significant setback to the sentiment around the project,the note said. 

The note by Delta Corp says that the termination disregards the broader objectives of the Gati Shakti programme, which aims to accelerate coordinated infrastructure development across the country.

Source: ET Infra. Com

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