'Experts panel deliberately lowered benchmark'

New Delhi, July 19: Reliance Airport Developers today told the Supreme Court that a group of eminent experts headed by Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan deliberately lowered technical benchmark while awarding contracts for privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports.

Despite scoring the highest marks during technical round of bidding process, Reliance's tender was rejected in favour of the GMR-led group of companies for Delhi airport.

Mr Mukul Rohtagi, counsel for the company headed by Mr Anil Ambani, also pleaded before the Bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia that the Supreme Court must lay down guidelines to ensure free and fair awarding of contracts in key infrastructure areas like airports, ports and railways.

Opening the argument for Reliance Airport Developers, Mr Rohtagi said the process of privatisation of Airports in India involved huge national assets and 40 more airports are in line for privatisation.

UNI