New Delhi: In a significant initiative to modernize its border tax infrastructure, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to revamp 156 toll plazas to meet National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) standards. This upgrade aims to facilitate quicker toll collection, including the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC), from commercial vehicles entering the national capital.
As part of a new ₹997-crore tender, the MCD plans to implement state-of-the-art technologies for toll and ECC collection. These enhancements will include RFID-based systems, digital integration, and standardized operations at the plazas, as stated by an official.
The MCD’s toll tax department has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to engage a private contractor responsible for managing toll and ECC collection at these designated border entry points. The selected contractor will be tasked with upgrading, operating, and maintaining the toll plazas in accordance with NHAI standards for a period of three years, with the possibility of a six-month extension or until a new contractor is appointed.
The scope of work encompasses the collection of tolls and ECC using RFID systems at 13 major entry points, while manual or technology-assisted collection methods will be employed at the remaining locations. Additionally, the project will involve the development and enhancement of toll plazas, as well as the operation of point-of-sale facilities for RFID tagging and recharging.
The contractor will also be responsible for remitting the collected funds to the MCD under mutually agreed terms and ensuring coordination with the RFID infrastructure concessionaire.
According to the tender, the annual reserve price for toll tax collection is set at ₹900 crore, while the ECC component is valued at ₹97 crore, after accounting for refunds. Bidders are required to submit an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹19.94 crore, which will be credited against the 10% performance guarantee upon the contract’s award.
To be eligible for application, firms must possess a minimum net worth of Rs 249 crore and demonstrate a proven track record in toll or entry tax collection for at least three of the past five financial years. Additionally, applicants must showcase an average annual toll collection of Rs 349 crore during their top three performing years. Joint ventures are allowed, provided that the lead partner satisfies at least 51 percent of the net worth requirement.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has specified that any firm or its subsidiaries with outstanding dues or a history of being blacklisted by any government agency will be disqualified from consideration.
