NCLT approves Rs 1,814 cr resolution plan for Lavasa; Darwin Platform winning bidder

Lavasa in Mulshi in Pune district is India’s first post-Independence hill-station developed in the picturesque Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats.

The National Company Law Tribunal has approved a Rs 1,814 crore resolution plan for the private hill station Lavasa, nearly five years after the initiation of the insolvency resolution process.

Darwin Platform Infrastructure Ltd (DPIL) has emerged as the winning bidder for Lavasa Corporation Ltd, which is primarily into the business of the development of the private hill station by the same name in Pune.

In a 25-page order passed on Friday, the tribunal cleared the resolution plan at an investment of Rs 1,814 crore.

The amount includes a "resolution plan amount of Rs 1,466.50 crore to be paid/ discharged from funds infused over multiple tranches into the corporate debtor by way of cash funding and instruments, being equity, Project inflows, loans, advances or a combination thereof," the order said. The corporate debtor is Lavasa.

A monitoring committee comprising the insolvency professional (earlier resolution professional), one representative each from financial creditors and Darwin Platform will supervise the implementation of the resolution plan.

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"The resolution plan meets the necessary statutory requirements under the Code as well as the regulations, we hereby approve the same," the NCLT said.

The petition for the insolvency resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) was initiated in August 2018.

Set up in 2010 and a part of the Darwin Platform Group, promoted by Ajay Harinath Singh, DPIL is engaged in infrastructure contracts and services and caters to various segments like infrastructure, refineries, retail and hospitality, among others.

"The NCLT has entrusted us with a challenging task to develop an ambitious world-class smart city in the country. The verdict would reinforce our commitment to nation-building. Lavasa is now on the cusp of a remarkable resurgence. DPIL is committed to executing the plan as per the schedule proposed to the CoC. We are very eager to revitalise this ambitious project," Singh said in a statement.

Giving assurance to homebuyers, he said, "The plight of homebuyers, along with the concerns of secured financial creditors, would not go unnoticed by DPIL. The company promises to include the stakeholders in the revival process and prioritise their needs".