According to standing committee chairman Ajay Choksi, the SMC had invited quotations from all over India by advertising in all language and English newspapers. While 28 parties collected the tender forms, only four of them filed the tenders.

Though the standing committee was empowered to take the decision in this matter, it sought the general board's approval for more transparency. The need for transparency was felt following the snowballing of the issue into a major controversy, with a section of councillors casting aspersion on the then municipal commissioner S Jagadeesan.

Earlier, the SMC had asked for a very high earnest amount to ensure that non-serious parties did not file the tender. By selling the 36,500-sq-mt transport godown land, the SMC will get Rs 182 crore which will be used for developmental projects. Shanti Enterprise, as per the tender condition, will also develop the transport godown at Magob Dumbhal.