Tuesday, January 24 2006 14:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Ending the suspense over the modernisation of airports, the Empowered Group of Ministers took a final decision today (Jan 24, 2006) on the Rs 5,400 crore projects at Delhi and Mumbai Airports, contracts for which would be awarded by January end.

Immediately after the meeting of EGOM, headed by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee this morning, Patel told reporters that the January 31 was set as the deadline for awarding of the contracts while rejecting the suggestion if there could be re-bidding in view of the valuation controversies.

He, however, did not spell out any decision saying that minutes have to be finalised and signed by the EGOM Chairman Pranab Mukherjee.

Patel said that the financial bids will be opened in a day or two and "we will be awarding the contracts for the two airports within the deadline".

The EGOM was held to consider a revised reports from the expert committee, headed by Delhi Metro Chief E Sreedhararn, on the basis of the clarification sought by the group earlier this month.