Govt's new rules may bar non-performers from bidding for new road projects

The new EPC document in the works could ensure that the companies that have missed deadlines for their previous projects will not be able to take part in the bidding process for the new ones

The government is putting in place stringent rules that will effectively bar non-performers from bidding for fresh highway projects. The new engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) document in the works could ensure that the companies that have missed deadlines for their previous projects will not be able to take part in the bidding process for the new ones, unless they complete their existing assignments.

EPC contracts are fully funded by the government and are easier for firms to execute, since they are not dependent on traffic volumes or financing uncertainty such as in the case of public-private partnership models. Besides