MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday quashed and set aside a January 3 notice by which the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) discontinued Systra MVA Consulting (India) Pvt Ltd’s contract for providing consultancy services for part of the corridor of the Mumbai Metro line. It hads directed MMRDA to take a fresh decision and pass an order giving reasons.
“MMRDA is directed to take a fresh decision with regard to either discontinuation or otherwise of the contract awarded to the petitioner afresh by way of a speaking order,” said Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Arif Doctor.
They pronounced the operative part of the verdict. Systra MVA Consulting (India) Pvt Ltd assailed the validity of a January 3 notice by which MMRDA discontinued its contract. Systra MVA is a group company of Systra, a global engineering and consulting group specialised in public transport and mobility solutions.
In February 2020, MMRDA published a tender notice inviting bids for the appointment of a general consultant for system works for part of the corridor of Mumbai Metro lines.
The Systra-SMCIPL consortium, of which the petitioner was a part, submitted its bid on June 16, 2020, which was accepted by the MMRDA. On May 31, 2021, MMRDA issued a letter of acceptance (LOA) to the consortium, resulting in its appointment as a general consultant.
Systra MVA was awarded the contract as a general consultant for part of the corridor of Mumbai Metro lines. The initial contract was for 42 months from May 31, 2021, to November 30, 2024.
Before the expiry of the contract, on October 4, Systra MVA’s tenure was extended up to December 31, 2026. By the impugned notice of January 3, 2025, MMRDA decided to discontinue its services with effect from February 17, 2025. Hence, Systra MVA moved the High Court.