Reliance in the race to build plazas in Shimla

Some of the country's top construction companies have shown interest in building Shimla's proposed multi-storied parking and shopping plazas.

"In response to our tenders, some 40 companies have come forward and purchased tender forms to build nine sites in this resort town," said Upma Chaudhary, the Himachal Pradesh urban development secretary.

"Prominent companies interested in the project include Reliance Industries, DS Construction, Simpark, Zoom Development, Khan Constructions, Jagson, Today Home, Inter Traffic, ICS Mumbai, DLF, Fun Republic, RDB Constructions, among others," Chaudhary said.

"The state urban development department had invited the interested parties for a pre-bid conference, which involved showing the construction sites and citing possible difficulties for builders in the mountain terrain," she said.

"After visiting the proposed construction sites, ten companies already submitted 'inspection of interest' and have bid for the construction, including the Delhi-based DS Constructions Pvt Ltd," said Chaudhary.

Reliance Industries is also interested. It remains to be seen how many companies bid by the last date, which is August 5."To avoid post-bid complications we called a pre-bid conference," said Chaudhary.

The state government last month entered into a project development contract with a private company, Feedback Ventures Pvt Ltd, and invited the participation of top builders, preferably with a net worth of over Rs 25 crore, to carry out the work.

"The plaza will have shopping malls, multiplexes, hotel, clubs, and offices, with emphasis on provision of parking for tourists and locals," another official explained.

These complexes are proposed to be built in nine places, all in the heavily crowded areas. "Work will include construction, operation and maintenance, and collecting parking fees, among others," the official said.

Shimla is a round-the-year destination. But often lack of enough parking space puts off holiday makers even though the town remains highly accessible from the plains.

"Infrastructure hasn't been able to keep pace with the fast growth of this state capital," said the official. Shimla has a population of around 175,000, but the number swells in the tourist season.