CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Six consulting firms submit bids to draft the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the new metro corridor connecting Koyambedu—Avadi, northwest of Chennai. The 16.07 km elevated metro link will connect key areas, including Thirumangalam, Mugappair, and Ambattur. As per tentative plans, this corridor will include 15 elevated stations.
The plan is to construct it as a branch of Chennai Metro’s Line-5 (Madhavaram – Sholinganallur), which is part of the 116.1 km Chennai Metro Phase 2 project currently under construction.
Estimated Cost & DPR Bidding
Koyambedu—Avadi stretch feasibility has been thoroughly assessed, with a detailed feasibility report by L&T Infrastructure Engineering in mid-2023. It estimates the construction cost to be approximately Rs. 6376.18 crore.
The process for selecting a DPR consultant began in February 2024, with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) setting a 180-day deadline for bid submissions. However, the financial estimate for this consultancy remains undisclosed.
Bidding Firms for DPR Consultancy
- Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers and Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
- AECOM India Pvt. Ltd.
- Balaji Railroad Systems Pvt. Ltd. (BASRYL)
- RITES Ltd.
- SYSTRA MVA Consulting (India) Pvt. Ltd.
- Urban Mass Transit Company Ltd. (UMTC)
These bids are currently under technical evaluation, a process expected to span a few months. Once the technical evaluation is concluded, the financial bids of the qualified firms will be opened, and the lowest bidder and likely consultant will be determined. The DPR will outline the line’s length, route composition (including underground, elevated, and at-grade sections), number and locations of stations, depot details, coach requirements, ridership projections, operational plan, total cost, and more.
Future Prospects
In line with CMRL’s strategic vision outlined in their September 2023 press release, the appointed DPR consultant will also explore potential extensions of the line from Avadi to Pattabiram. It will consider recent regional developments like the new TIDEL Information Technology Park, available land, and anticipated growth in the area.
If the tendering process follows the scheduled timeline, a consultant is expected to be appointed by late Q2 of 2024, i.e., June. The metro authorities might also share a preliminary draft of the DPR by the first quarter of 2025.
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