New Business opportunities in Metro Rail Sector

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Durga Shankar Mishra complimented embassy of Spain for organizing the PAN India business forum. He has mentioned various aspect of collaboration and Investment in India and also discussed the current state and the journey towards an Aatmanirbhar Urban Transport Sector.

The explanation include various avenues of collaboration & investment opportunities in the urban transport sector between the two countries with a special focus on “Smart Mobility”, especially in the Metro Sector.

Durga Shankar said, “In fact, in the last 6-7 years the country has emerged as a country of opportunities where a lot of investments are possible and has created an ecosystem where the new technologies, the innovation can come in and they can find a place as Make In India investment and later they can also be used for export outside. Under the metro our country started the first metro somewhere in the year 1984 but real significance improvement started in the year 2002.

When the first metro rail was inaugurated in Delhi by the then Prime Minister ‘Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’ but till 2014 we had only 240 km of metro. In the last 6 year we have got 725km of metro operational. We have another 1000km of metro or RRTS under construction across the country in 27 cities.” Regional transport is going to stop on 16 stations on the way .we have recently come out with two different specification which is Metro Lite & Metro Neo basically meant for our Tier 2 cities or the outer area of Tier 1 cities and tier 3 cities which are costing around Metro Lite cost 40% and Metro Neo cost around 20 to 25% but they provide same kind of comfort, convenience, similar kind of riding experience punctuality etc. and gain to the environment.

Shri Durga Shankar then shared his proud experience visiting to Spain in 2018 Nov, after travelling in the Regional train and Metro train. He then appreciated the excellent job done in European continent and invited them to invest in Indian Metro Sector further explaining the benefits of cheap source of men power and growth opportunity in India both in Metro as well as 10 trillion dollar Economy growth in next 10 years.

Also requested to focus more in Make in India i.e. the technology should become the part of Indian technology. And investment could be done either in strategic form in collaboration with some existing companies or can bring fresh investment here for any kind of manufacturing whether it is in a metro coaches or assembling system, electrical system, civil engineering system or any kind of component which is required for this metro operation.

Bentley Acceleration Initiatives Acquires Indian Project Controls Specialist Nadhi Information Technologies

Bentley Acceleration Initiatives today announced the acquisition of Chennai, India-based Nadhi Information Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a specialist in project controls, analytics, and decision support for construction supply chains. Nadhi serves some of India’s leading construction sector participants, including contractors Larsen & Toubro and Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd., real estate developers Mahindra Lifespaces and RMZ, and owner-operators DMRC (Delhi Metro) and Welspun Enterprises. Founded in 2008, Nadhi was incubated in the IIT Madras Research Park with advisors from the IIT Madras Building Technology and Construction Management faculty and the Lean Construction Institute.

Bentley Acceleration Initiatives is the internal incubator for strategic investments of Bentley Systems (Nasdaq: BSY), the infrastructure engineering software company. Its objective is to bring together ecosystem partners in digital co-ventures. Nadhi brings to Bentley a critical mass of field-experienced professionals in construction automation, attuned to their region’s specific challenges and project dynamics. The acquisition strengthens Bentley’s focus on Asia, which is experiencing huge demand for new construction of infrastructure and has a keen appetite for digital workflows to help address this need. According to Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research, while China and the U.S. will remain the two highest-value construction markets globally, India and Indonesia will rise to the third and fourth highest-value markets by 2029.

Currently, project teams in Asia are often held back by conventional construction methodologies and obstacles to public cloud deployments, experiencing delays and cost overruns because of poorly coordinated schedules and the lack of visibility into project status. Project managers are looking for a solution that helps them interconnect their data silos—spanning documents, schedules, budgets, issues and risks, resources, and materials—all in one environment.

Some of the best-managed construction projects are now using Nadhi’s services to solve these challenges and improve their project delivery using digital workflows. Since offering lean construction consulting services in 2008, Nadhi has pioneered mobile-enabled project controls. In an offering explicitly configured for the needs of project teams in Asia, the integrated project controls in Nadhi’s nPulse software combines data-driven decision support and predictive analytics to give engineering and construction projects early warning of schedule risks and potential delays in milestone completion, advancing project planning and execution from reactive to proactive.

Dr. Ashit Gandhi, senior director, accelerated business development, Bentley Systems, said, “We are very pleased to welcome Nadhi’s construction automation experts as Bentley colleagues. Together, we see a significant new opportunity to help construction projects throughout Asia, especially for road and rail linear infrastructure, in ‘going digital’. Combining Nadhi’s proven project controls and analytics capabilities with Bentley’s SYNCHRO 4D construction modeling and field-based construction delivery will enable more integrated and efficient digital workflows, tailored specifically to Asian needs.”

Kalyan Vaidyanathan, CEO, Nadhi Information Technologies, said, “The whole team at Nadhi is excited to be joining Bentley Systems at this pivotal moment for India’s construction community. We look forward to deepening our capabilities in core areas of project controls and expanding our reach both in and beyond India for new opportunities. We believe, as part of Bentley, we will be even more strongly positioned to help our users to stay in control of their projects and to generate insights through analytics to avoid delays and improve confidence through visibility.”

Nadhi will add approximately 30 colleagues; its annualized revenues and profitability are not material to, and are not expected to meaningfully impact, the BSY financial outlook for 2021.

Pune Metro completes underwater Mutha river tunnel

PUNE: Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha Metro) has completed the construction of first underwater metro tunnel below the Mutha river bed for the Pune Metro Rail Project.

Under Phase-1, Line-1(Purple Line) has an underground stretch of length 5.019 km from Agriculture College to Swargate with 5 underground stations. The work is divided in two packages – Package 1 from Agriculture college to Budhwar Peth and Package 2 from Budhwar Peth to Swargate. Both packages have been awarded to the JV of Tata-Projects-Gulermek.

Two TBM (Tunnel Boring Machines) i.e. S78 (Mutha) and S79 (Mula) were commissioned last month to build twin tunnels. Work on 1.6 km underground tunnel from between Agriculture College and Shivajinagar has been already completed. Tunnel work for the stretch between Civil court to Budhwar Peth started in March. After few days, Maha-Metro entered the riverbed of the Mutha river and now the tunneling work beneath Mutha river bed is completed.

According to the official Twitter handle of MahaMetro’s Pune Metro Rail Project,” Another 1st for Pune! 10s of bridges over Mutha river, some of them centuries old. Pune Metro has constructed 1st underwater metro tunnel below the Mutha river bed. Tunnels of ~240 mtrs. by Mutha & 223 mtrs. by Mula TBM completed between Civil Court & Budhwar Peth.”

With this development, Pune has become the 4th city in India after Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai to have an underground metro rail crosses the river.

This work is a part of 16.59 km long Purple Line of Pune Metro that will run from PCMC Bhavan to Swargate with 14 stations.

UKMRC reinvites tender for the development of Haridwar PRT Project

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand Metro Rail Corporation (UKMRC) reinvites open e-tender (EOI cum RFQ) for the development of Personalised Rapid Transit (PRT) System in Haridwar city of Uttarakhand called “Haridwar Darshan” on PPP mode.

Name of Work – Development of Personalised Rapid Transit (PRT) System in Haridwar city of Uttarakhand called “Haridwar Darshan” under Design Built Finance Operate and Transfer (DBFOT basis) – (PPP MODEL).

Important Details

Tender reference No: UM-140/EOI cum RFQ PRT Haridwar/2021-22/01

Contract Value: INR 1000 Crores

Period of Completion: 1095 Days

Document Download Start Date: 20-Apr-2021 from 06:00 PM

Document Download End Date: 04-Jun-2021 till 03:00 PM

Bid Submission Start Date: 20-Apr-2021 from 06:00 PM

Bid Submission End Date: 04-Jun-2021 till 03:00 PM

Bid Opening Date: 04-Jun-2021 at 03:30 PM

Pre Bid Meeting Date: 20-May-2021 at 04:00 PM

As per the tender inviting notice of UKMRC, the technology of PRT proposed by Applicants must be already in passenger operation for minimum 1 year and on a minimum stretch of 1.5 Km. Interested Applicants are required to download the EOI cum RFQ document from website https://uktender.gov.in

Proposed PRT Corridors

  • Sitapur – Bharat Mata Temple 14.0 km
  • City Hospital – Daksha Temple 3.0 km
  • Ganeshpuram – DAV School 2.0 km
  • Valmiki Chowk – Laltaro Bridge 0.65 km
  • Total 19.65 km

The PRT corridors are mainly on the Major roads of the city and are planned to be elevated within the Right of way (ROW) on the central verge of the roads.

Previously, PNC Infratech Ltd emerged as the only bidder for this project and being the single bidder or based on technical or financial evaluation, UKMRC may not have find suitable to go ahead with the single bidder and cancelled the tender, as a result, reinvites tender for this project. Hopefully, this time there will be more bidders and works on the project finally takes off.

Metro Rail News April 2021 issue published

Dear Readers,

The drafts of the National Rail Plan – 2030 prepared by Indian Railways endorsed in Union-Budget 20-21 is one of the key initiatives taken by the government to give India a future centric transportation system by 2030 and further strengthening it by 2050, the manual for planning, design and implementation of ITS/MIS for Metro System featuring as cover story gives an insight details on various issues related to Information Technology & Systems / Management Information System, development in Intelligent Transport System in India in Urban transport services and MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System).

Covid-19 has brought an unprecedented change in public transport system across the globe. The article featuring Metro Automation, initiatives in Urban transport during Covid and the future of MRTS talks about the change and developments of public transportation in different countries to provide its citizens a safe and comfortable commuting option during the pandemic the world is going through.

The information on development of Patna Metro (Phase I), Mumbai Metro (Line 7 & 9), along with regular columns. The Interview of Mr. Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director, Egis Inda and S N Subrahmanyan, CEO and MD of L&T are the other features of the magazine for April -2021 issue.

We express our sincere thankfulness for the overwhelming response given by our readers for our last month’s special edition on International Women’s Day.

We owe our commitment to keep our readers updated on various information related to Urban Transportation System in India and globally.

To provide you the most relevant information on public transport system we shall keep on adding new feature, columns and topics in our magazine. Technology specially developments in transportation system is one of the major agent for growth and development of a country. The fastest-growing economies of the world have a major expenditure of their GDP on public transport system other than health and education.

The government is working towards it and it would be good for the nation in terms of growing need of alternative mode of public transport system in the country due to a rapidly growing population and urbanization.

We are also organising a virtual forum InnoMetro – 2021 this month from 28th – 30th April to explore and showcase the various developments and changes in urban Transport System and MRTS. The event participated and facilitated by tech stalwarts worldwide is already a much-awaited event.

The issue next month will have all the major excerpts and briefings of the coveted ceremony. We thank once again to our sponsors, delegates, partners, stakeholders and especially our readers for the encouragement and support we have been receiving.

The nation is going through a very difficult period for last few weeks because of the second wave of Coronavirus. It is more important today to get through this difficult period.

We encourage everyone to take extra precautions necessary to safeguard their health and that of others. Stay informed about the situation in your local community by consulting and following the advice of your local health authorities.

Wish you a happy reading

Mumbai Metro achieves 37th Breakthrough at CSMT Metro Station

MUMBAI: Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) on 22nd April achieved 37th breakthrough at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Metro Station out of the total 41 breakthroughs planned for the 33.5 km long Colaba-Bandra-Seepz underground line (Line-3) of Mumbai Metro.

The contract for this work under Package UGC-01 was awarded to the JV of Larsen & Toubro and Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Company which operates Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Surya-2 for the construction of tunnels and four stations at Cuffe Parade, Vidhan Bhavan, Churchgate & Hutatama Chowk.

According to MMRC, TBM Surya-2 completed its final drive of 569 meters from Hutatma Chowk to CSMT Metro Station in 106 days using 418 concrete rings. With this 2.9 km long downline tunnel from Cuffe Parade to CSMT Metro Station is completed.

“Tunnelling in the heritage precinct, which is also in the close proximity to the sea, is a daunting task. MMRCL team of contractors, consultants, engineers and workers scientifically dealt the challenge successfully. I am happy that 96% of tunnelling has been completed in package-1 by ensuring the safety of the historical buildings”, said Mr. Ranjit Singh Deol, Managing Director, MMRC.

With this breakthrough, 52 km of tunneling is completed out of the total length of 54.5 km which is approximately 95% of the total project.

The issue regarding construction of car shed for Mumbai Metro Line-3 is still not resolved as the Bombay High Court is yet to decide whether the salt plan land in Kanjurmarg, where the metro depot is proposed to be constructed, belongs to the Centre or State.

UPMRC Place Second Steel Girder at Rawatpur of Kanpur Metro

The 9 KMs long elevated Priority Corridor between IIT Kanpur and Motijheel is being constructed under the Kanpur Metro Rail Project. Last night another ‘Steel Girder’ was erected at Rawatpur Tiraha. In this span the first ‘Steel Box Girder’ was placed on March 27, 2021. These girders are of 45m length, assembled near the location and erected by cranes in the night on the busy crossing.


On this occasion, Managing Director, UPMRC, Shri Kumar Keshav said, “In view of heavy traffic at Rawatpur, it was planned that no Piers should come in the middle of Rawatpur Tiraha and due to this the distance between the two Pillars was increased up to 45 meters in this section. This is the reason that in this span two specially designed light weighted ‘Steel Box Girders’ have been placed instead of U or I-girder. UPMRC always strives to ensure that the Metro Corridor is planned and is executed in such a way that traffic movement doesn’t get affected.”

Three locations have been identified between IIT and Naubasta (Corridor-1), where Steel Girders are to be laid. The first Steel Span has been placed near Rawatpur, the second will be erected at Sisamau Nala and the third one near Vasant Vihar.

Why ‘Steel Box Girder’?

• It was not possible to place a U or an I-girder of this length at the said span hence ‘Steel Box Girder’ has been introduced.

• The length of the steel girder is longer than the U-girders that are being used in the Corridor but relatively lighter in weight. It is also to be mentioned that the length of the referred steel span is 45 meters while U-girder has an average length of 27 meters. A 27-meter U-girder weighs about 147 tons, while 45-meter Steel Span weighs about 120 tons.

• Three locations have been identified between the 23KMs long IIT & Naubasta stretch in where Steel Girders are to be laid. The first Steel Span has been placed near Rawatpur, the second will be erected at Sisamau Nala and the third one will be placed near Vasant Vihar. Separate steel girders are to be laid for up-line and down-line.

Each 45-meter long steel girder is being prepared by connecting 5 segments.

MMRDA invites tender for balance works for Line-2B of Mumbai Metro

MUMBAI: Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has invited open e-tenders for the construction of balance works of Package CA06 which is related to Line 2B (D.N Nagar-Mandale) of Mumbai Metro Rail Project. The balance work includes construction of elevated viaduct and 5 elevated stations from MTNL Metro to Chembur.

Name of Work

Part Design and Construction of Balance Works of Package CA06, Elevated Viaduct and 5 Elevated Stations viz. MTNL Metro, S. G. Barve Marg, Kurla East, EEH and Chembur (excluding Architectural Finishing and Pre-Engineered Steel Roof Structure of Stations) from Chainage 46860.384m to Chainage 52729.312 of Line 2B [D.N Nagar-Mandale] of Mumbai Metro Rail Project of MMRDA.

Important Details

Contract NoMMRDA/MMRP/L2B-C102

Estimated Cost of Work: INR 631.82 Crore

Completion Period: 30 Months

Bids Document Download Date: 22/04/2021 from 18.01 Hrs to 07/06/2021 till 15.00 Hrs

Bid Submission Date: 22/04/2021 from 18:31 to 09/06/2021 till 18.00 Hrs

Pre Bid Meeting: 06/05/2021 at 11.00 Hrs

Bid Opening Date: 11/06/2021 at 11:00 Hrs

MMRDA has invited bids for this work multiple times while originally in 2017 contract for this work was awarded to RCC Infra Ventures Limited but the contract was terminated in January 2020 due to poor progress of work.

Last time when MMRDA invited bids for this work, NCC Limited emerged as the lowest bidder (November 2020) quoting bid value of INR 719.27 Crores which was way above the MMRDA estimated cost of INR 568.55 Crores and further negotiations between the two did not result in any positive outcome leading to re-inviting of tenders.

Now it remains to be seen how the work progress on this section of Mumbai Metro Line-2B as work is already got delayed. Hopefully, this time tenders invitation will culminate to starting of construction on the given section which will take another few years before operations of metro trains start on this section.

There is also a proposal to build three iconic bridges on this 23.64 km long Metro Line 2B from DN Nagar to Mandale. The designs for the bridges are already ready and tenders were floated for the second time in June 2020 for their construction. The bridges to be constructed are Arch shape bridge over Mithi River, Zero shape bridge at Vakola Nala and the Sword shape bridge at BKC Entry. The purpose is to give aesthetic look to the surrounding areas through these all three cable-stayed bridges. Mumbai will look more beautiful through these bridges and the bridges will be visible from far distances creating new skyline for the city. Hopefully, construction of bridges will start at the earliest to add another jewel to the city that never sleeps.

Bharat Builders and Starworth Infrastructure wins work contracts for Bangalore Metro

BENGALURU: Bharat Builders has bag contract for construction of seven Foot-Over-Bridges (FOB) at six locations of Phase-1 and Phase-2 stations of Bangalore Metro Rail Project.

Important Details

Tender Notification Number: BMRCL/Phase-1&2/FOB-Steel Structures/2021/74

Name of Work: Fabrication & Erection of Steel Structures – 7 Nos. of FOB at 6 locations in Yeshwanthpur, Dasarahalli, Nagasandra Stations of Phase-1 and Mailasandra, Jnanabharathi, Chikkabidarkallu (Jindal) Stations of Phase-2 for Bangalore Metro rail Project.

Contract Value: INR 10.84 Crores

On the other hand, Starworth Infrastructure & Construction Limited has bag contract for construction of Operation Control Centre (OCC) near Baiyappanahalli Metro Depot for Bangalore Metro Rail Project.

Important Details

Tender Notification Number: BMRCL/Phase-2/OCC-2/2020/71

Name of Work: Construction of Operation control center near Baiyappanahalli Metro Depot for Bangalore Metro Rail Project.

Contract Value: INR 23.12 Crores

In an another good news for the Bangalore city, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday approves Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase-2A and Phase-2B with total length of 58.19 km. The total cost of the project is expected to be INR 14,788.101 crore.

Phase-2A comprises construction of 19.75 km long elevated corridor connecting KR Puram to Central Silkboard with 13 stations while Phase-2 comprises construction of 38.44 long corridor connecting K R Puram to the Kempegowda International Airport via Hebbal Junction with 17 stations on the route.

GPS based CORS technique to ensure accurate alignment of Rapid Rail

New Delhi, April 23, 2021– The Linear Railway infra projects require high accuracy surveys to achieve designed track alignment. Given the design speed of 180 kmph on the structure either elevated viaducts or underground tunnels, there is no scope for fault in the construction of RRTS structures and tracks. The NCRTC is using “Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS)” technology to ensure accurate civil structure alignment in the construction of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor.

CORS image 2

 
CORS- Continuously Operating Reference Station – is a global positioning system (GPS) based technology mainly used in surveys, mapping, and allied services. This technique ensures complete accuracy in the construction of a predetermined corridor in civil construction so that the planned alignment can be achieved.


Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut is an 82 km long corridor going over rivers, railway lines, roads, expressways, and flyovers. Hence it is very important to maintain accuracy in civil structure alignment. Keeping this in mind, the NCRTC went beyond the traditional technologies and adopted an ultra-modern survey technique, CORS, which is being used for the first time in the country in any mega infrastructure project.  

CORS image 3

CORS is a network of ‘reference stations’ that are established at every 10-15 kilometers along with the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor, these CORS ‘reference stations’ are connected to the “Control Center”, which provides the real-time data to the rovers collected from 3-5 reference stations. The entire process of data collection enables the rovers to achieve accuracy of up to 10 mm.


Also, given the limited timeframe for the implementation of the country’s first RRTS project, the construction work is in progress at multiple sites simultaneously. To ensure that construction at multiple locations does not impact the accuracy of the project, CORS is being used as it mitigates the risks of any kind of error during the construction. The CORS network is set up for the first time in the country for a rail-based project, the system is set to be a path-breaking system for such projects to conduct surveys.

Agra Metro completes half pilling work in record time

AGRA: Half of the pilling work has been completed in record time for the Agra Metro Rail Project. A total of 344 piles have been completed in less than four and half months out of the 688 piles to be made for the elevated portion running from Taj East Gate to Fatehabad Road with three elevated stations.

At present, work of 344 piles, 33 pile capes and 11 pillars have been completed for the 3 km long elevated portion of Priority Corridor. For the elevated section, 688 piles, 171 pile caps and 171 pillars and 104 pier caps are to be constructed.

Regarding update on the construction of first depot for Agra Metro on Line-1 at PAC ground, boundary wall of 680 meters has been completed so far out of the total 2400 meters. Casting of 50% blocks for the boundary wall is also completed along with work on other structures is also going with full speed for the metro depot. Work for metro depot construction was awarded to Lisha Engineers Pvt. Ltd in October 2020 for a contract value of INR 112.63 crores and is expected to be completed by June, 2022.

The Priority Corridor of Agra Metro comprises construction of 6 km long section from Taj East Gate to Jama Masjid with six stations. Contract is awarded to Sam India Built Well Pvt. Ltd. for the elevated portion of length 3 km with 3 stations namely – Fatehabad Road, Basai & Taj East Gate. However, tender is still pending for the underground section of length of 3 km that will run from Jama Masjid to Taj Mahal with three underground stations.

Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) has set a deadline of March 2024 to start operation of metro trains on the Priority Corridor.

Line-1 (14.24 km) of Agra Metro is partly elevated (6.56 km) and partly underground (7.68 km) with 14 stations. These stations are Sikandra, Guru Ka Taal, ISBT, Shastri Nagar, RBS College, Raja Ki Mandi, Agra University, Medical College, Jama Masjid, Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Fatehabad Road, Basai & Taj East Gate.

RVNL invites tender for S&T works for Majorda – Vasco-Da-Gama Railway section in South Goa

NEW DELHI: RailVikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) invites bids under single stage two packet system for the supply and commissioning of signalling and telecommunications works related to doubling of Majorda – Vasco-Da-Gama section in South Goa.

Name of Work

‘Design, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of Indoor & Outdoor Signalling and Telecommunications works in connection with doubling of Majorda (Excl.) – Vasco-Da-Gama (Incl.) section of Hubbali Division of South Western Railway in South Goa District of Goa State, India’.

Important Details

Tender Reference Number RVNL/SBC/SnT/MJO-VSG/2021/OT03

Estimated Cost of Project – INR 31.58 crores

Period of Completion 18 Months

Pre Bid Meeting Date 05-May-2021 at 11:30 AM

Document Download Start Date 20-Apr-2021 from 04:00 PM

Document Download End Date 25-May-2021 till 11:00 AM

Bid Submission Start Date 10-May-2021 from 09:00 AM

Bid Submission End Date 25-May-2021 at 11:00 AM

Bid Opening Date 25-May-2021 at 11:30 AM

Further Details

For more information and further details  on detail scope of works, applicants can download tender documents free of cost from RVNL website www.rvnl.org and RVNL e- Tendering portal i.e. https://rvnl.euniwizarde.com/

This tender work is a part of project related to doubling of 342 km long railway track from Hospet in Karnataka to Vasco-da-gama in Goa. According to Ministry of Railways, the project has nearly completed in the state of Karnataka except 10 Km between Unkal and Hubballi stretch which was expected to be completed in March this year.

About 7 km track between Madgoan- Majorda in the state of Goa has also been doubled. Remaining stretch of about 90 Km is in the State of Goa, where works are awarded for doubling and are being taken up after ensuring necessary clearances.

Doubling of the said section will be a game changer for the state of Goa, taking the development to new heights, by giving impetus to trade and enabling easier and faster passenger movement. Existing rail network is constrained due to single line long ghat sections severely limiting train running capacity.

RITES led consortium emerges lowest bidder for Bangladesh Railway Project

MUMBAI: RITES led consortium emerged as the lowest bidder for the construction of dual gauge railway line from Bogura to Shahid M. Mansur Ali station of the Bangladesh Railway.

In February 2019, Export and Import Bank of India (EXIM) invited Project Management Consultants (PMC) for Construction of Dual Gauge Railway Line from Bogra to Shahid M. Mansur Ali Station of Bangladesh Railway (79.30 km Dual Gauge main and 11.35 km Dual gauge loop line) in Bangladesh.

This is an 80 km long green field project with two phases—

  • Preparation of a detailed project report (DPR)
  • Construction supervision.

Duration for the project is 13 months for Phase-1 and 30 months for Phase-2. This project is funded by EXIM Bank of India under Line of Credit (LOC).

Total Fee Income would be about Rs. 63 crores and signing of Contract is expected to take place soon.

Scope of work –

  • Consultancy Services for Updating Feasibility Study, Detail Engineering Design, Mathematical Modeling, Tendering Services and Construction Supervision, Services during Defect Liability Period.
  • Conduct detail topographic and hydrographic survey.
  • Identify the possible alternative alignments and recommend the best suitable alignment for the project.
  • Find out whether the project will be technically, economically, financially, environmentally and socially viable. 
  • Prepare Initial Environment Examination report, Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Management Plan & Environmental Monitoring Plan etc.
  • Prepare Land Acquisition Plan and Resettlement Plan.
  • Conduct detailed engineering survey including sub-soil investigation along the alignment, at bridge locations.
  • Conduct hydrological & morphological survey. 
  • Prepare detailed engineering design and drawings of all infrastructures including bridges, embankment, railway track, stations, signaling and all other facilities. 
  • Prepare detailed cost estimate on the basis of the detail design and drawing and verify the same with the DPP. Also prepare the revised DPP [RDPP] if required. 
  • Prepare tender documents in conformity to the procurement rules of Bangladesh.
  • Provide tendering services of all sorts including preparation of RFP, selecting contractor, bid evaluation, provide assistance to the project authority for award of contract, including contract negotiation and finalizing the contract documents.

Metro rail construction in Indian cities is advancing at a rapid pace despite Covid-19

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Despite the menace of Covid-19, metro rail construction activities across many Indian cities are moving at rapid pace as tenders are continue to invite for various metro projects along with awarding of contracts which further aided by soft loans from multilateral agencies and contribution from central and state governments.

Work is already underway for Delhi Metro Phase-4 and recently JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) gave approval for soft loan amounting to INR 8,390 crores for Phase-4 of Delhi Metro and INR 3,717 crores for Phase-2 of Bangalore Metro.

Mumbai Metro’s Line-2A and Line-7 will start operation this year. Work is progressing at a rapid pace for the other under-construction lines with MMRDA continue to invite tenders and award contracts for multiple works on various lines. Recently, Maha Metro also invited bids to complete the remaining works related to Navi Mumbai Metro Line-1 (11.1 Km) from Belapur to Pendhar.

Work on next phase of metro construction is already underway in the cities of Chennai and Bangalore. Giving boost to metro connectivity in cities of Madhya Pradesh, MPMRCL in March invited tenders for construction of elevated viaducts and stations for Indore and Bhopal Metros respectively.

In Uttar Pradesh, construction activities for metro systems in Agra and Kanpur are progressing at rapid pace. Track laying work is already started on Delhi-Meerut RRTS.

In Bihar, tender inviting activities for Patna Metro have started gradually. In Kerala, Kochi water metro will began operation on the Vyttila-Kakkanad route by the end of this month.

As per reports, the quantum of civil construction bids currently underway in this sector is higher than the sum of projects awarded in FY 20 & FY21.