JUDGMENT

Vibhu Bakhru, J. (Oral). - The appellant has filed the present appeal impugning a judgment dated 03.09.2021 passed by the learned Single Judge, whereby the appellant's application under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereafter 'the A&C Act') seeking to set aside an arbitral award dated 31.12.2020 (hereafter 'the Award'), was rejected.

2. The Award was rendered in the context of the disputes that had arisen between the parties in connection with the work of "Completion of Balance Works of Construction of Dwelling Units Including Allied External Services at Khirkee (Aundh) Pune Army " which was awarded to the respondent (hereafter 'Vascon').

3. The work was to be completed in three phases. It was stipulated that the first phase would be completed on or before 16.01.2010 and the remaining two phases - phase two and phase three - would be completed on or before 16.07.2011 and 04.03.2014 respectively. The time for completion of the work was extended and there is no dispute that the work was completed during the extension period.

4. In the context of the disputes that arose between the parties, Justice (retd) Badar Durrez Ahmed, former Chief Justice of th