The evaluation of the technical bids leaves consortiums led by four Indian players - from as diverse a business background as road construction and power to telecommunications and transportation - in the fray for modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports.
These companies are required to pump in about Rs 5,600 crore (Rs 56 billion) in modernising the airports in the first phase.
The GMR-Fraport consortium, led by the Hyderabad-based Rs 2,500-crore (Rs 25 billion) GMR Group, heads the technical evaluation table with the highest ranking in both management and development capabilities.
The consortium has bid for both Delhi and Mumbai airports. The GMR Group, with stakes in energy, transportation and manufacturing, is already building a new airport in Hyderabad.
On the other hand, its airport partner Fraport, which manages and owns the Frankfurt international airport, is one of the leading companies in the airport development business.
G M Rao, a mechanical engineer by profession, is the chairman of the GMR Group, leading the group since its inception in 1978. Rao began with a jute-yarn manufacturing business in his hometown, Rajam in Andhra Pradesh.
This venture was a success and enabled him to diversify into ferro-alloys and subsequently, sugar. Between 1980 and 1990, the GMR Group entered into banking and played a key role in transformation of Vysya Bank into a new generation bank.
The bid by Reliance-ASA Mexico combine, led by Anil Ambani's Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Enterprises, is the second financial one that is expected to be opened on Friday.'
This group has also bid for the two airports. ASA Mexico, which handles certain city airports in Mexico including one at Cancun, is a leading airport operator and builder in South America, with limited development experience outside the region.
Ambani's well-established financial muscle and capabilities to manage businesses is one of the biggest advantages enjoyed by this consortium. However, it made news of late for the wrong reason. One of the two bidders that initially made the cut, it was downgraded by the Sreedharan committee.
The GVK-ACSA combine is the only one which has bid for only one airport. The Hyderabad based GVK Group, which has stakes in transportation, power, roads and urban infrastructure development, is currently implementing some large power projects as well as major road projects across the country. ACSA operates major airports in South Africa including those in Johannesburg and Capetown.
The GVK Group, headed by G V Krishna Reddy, also has interests in contract research, hotels and financial services. The company's GVK Biosciences conducts research in pharma and areas like medical chemistry.
The GVK story started in the '60s with the group commissioning the Nagarjunasagar Dam - the world's largest masonry dam. The DS-Munich consortium is led by DS Construction, which owns the retail chain Ebony and is also into road construction.
At present, DS Construction is executing the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway project. Contract for the expressway was awarded to a joint venture between the DS Group and the Jaiprakash Gaur group.
DS subsequently bought out Gaur from the venture. The 5000-personnel strong DS Construction, founded by Sardar Darshan Singh, started with construction and has now evolved into a complete developer of projects.
On the other hand, its airport partner, Munich Airport, is ranked as one of the best airports in the world. Munich airport at present services over 24 million passengers and has a capacity to serve over 50 million passengers.
