The Slum Rehabilitation Authority of Maharashtra has once again extended the last date for submission of expression of interest for the Rs 10,000-crore (Rs 100 billion) Dharavi Redevelopment Project to August 30. Earlier, it had postponed the date to August 16 from July 31.

"Some developers asked whether they can use the strength of their 100 per cent subsidiaries for technical and financial qualification. It was already in the bidding documents and we clarified it. But developers complained that they got clarification only last weekend, and August 13 and 14 being the only working days before the August 16 deadline, the developers said they did not have enough time to submit the forms. To give them sufficient time we extended the last date," said an official working on the project.

Claiming that the SRA would ensure that the delay is restricted to 15 days from the earlier plan, the official said: "We will scrutinise the forms in September and invite the financial bids from the shortlisted candidates till October 15. By December 15, we will finalise the winners and complete all the formalities related to the commencement of the project,"' the official added.

The July 31 deadline was extended to August 16 since the chief minister and other officials were busy as the state Assembly was in session.

"On a project of this scale glitches are bound to be there. We are only at a pre-qualification stage and have a long way to go before the project actually kicks off. However, we have got the necessary clarifications from the officials," said a leading city developer who did not wish to be quoted.

The SRA had sold 101 forms to the developers and corporates, including Reliance Industries Ltd [Get Quote], Larsen & Toubro, DLF, Hiranandani Constructions, Mahindra Gesco, K Raheja Universal, HDIL, Gammon [Get Quote] Infrastructure, Kalpataru and Peninsula Land [Get Quote].

The project has also drawn the interest of the global realtors like US-based Hines, far east-based Capitaland, Ascendas, Ayala and Dubai-based developers Emaar Properties and Al Nakheel, sources said.