Govt likely to drop proposals to cap bids for airport privatisation

A panel for PPP projects had recommended restricting airport projects to 2 to check monopoly

The government is unlikely to impose a cap on the number of projects a private company can bid for in the upcoming round of airport privatisation, turning down the suggestion of an expert committee.

The Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) had earlier recommended restricting the number of airport projects to a maximum of two contracts in each round of auction, to prevent monopoly. But, sources told Business Standard that an empowered group of secretaries (E-GoS) has over-ruled the proposal of the government nominated panel for PPP projects, citing data in support of competition.

During the previous privatisation round in 2018 too,