Chinese bids in infra projects may face stricter scrutiny

New Delhi: Border hostilities could invite tighter scrutiny of bids by Chinese companies for key infrastructure projects, multiple government officials said. Offers by Chinese companies for project implementation or the supply of heavy machinery are likely to be vetted more intensely from the standpoint of security, they said.

The government has in any case made Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (self-reliant India mission) the cornerstone of its economic stimulus programme under the slogan of going vocal for local, the officials pointed out.

Among the first projects that could come under scrutiny is the Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail Transport System tender, for which Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Ltd was the lowest bidder. The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch has called for cancellation of the bid. The project is being implemented by the NCR Transport Corporation (NCRTC) under the ministrys of housing and urban affairs.