Four firms in the race to construct Delhi Metro Phase-04 underground work Project

NEW DELHI, INDIA (Metro Rail News): On 14th September 2021, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) opened technical bids for the construction of phase-4 underground work, and four construction firms have submitted bids to build Delhi Metro’s tunnelling contract DC05 of the Magenta Line’s 28.92 KMs Janakpuri West to R.K. Ashram extension. This 7.46 KM underground section connects a ramp north of Derawal Nagar with R.K. Ashram via six Derawal Nagar, Ghanta Ghar, Pulbangash (interchange with Red Line), Sadar Bazar, Nabi Karim & Ramakrishna Ashram Marg (interchange with Blue Line).

It is Magenta Line’s 4th civil package in the 65.1 KM Phase-4 project. Other packages are 12.375 KM DC-01, 7.473 KM DEC-03R, 2.03 KM underground DC-06, all under construction. DMRC invited Tenders. for this contract financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through an Rs. 8,390 crore loans in June 2021 with a 42-month time limit. 

Contenders:

· Afcons Infrastructure

· Larsen & Toubro (L&T) 

· ITD Cementation

· Gulermak

Scope of the Project: 

Design & Construction of Twin Tunnel by shield TBM, Tunnel by Cut & Cover, Underground ramp at Derawal Nagar and Six underground stations viz. Derawal Nagar, Ghanta Ghar, Pulbangash, Sadar Bazar, Nabi Karim & Ramakrishna Ashram Marg Including Architectural Finishing, Water supply, Sanitary installation, Drainage works of stations on Janakpuri West to R.K. Ashram Corridor (Line-8 Ext.) of Phase-IV of Delhi MRTS.

The bids have now been sent for the technical bid evaluation, taking a few months to evaluate. After that, the technically qualified Bidders’ financial bids will be opened to reveal the lowest bidder and most likely contractor. The assigned contractor will be required to use at least four tunnel boring machines (TBMs). 

DMRC has publicly posted that they’re chasing a June 2024 deadline to start operations on the Magenta Line’s 28.92 KM extension between Janakpuri West and R.K. Ashram. Unfortunately, that won’t be possible due to construction practicalities, and I see this section opening no sooner than mid-2026 at this time.