Lisha Engineers bags architectural finishing contract for Pink Line Ext under Delhi Metro Phase-4

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Lisha Engineers emerged as the lowest bidder for Pink Line Extension Corridor (Line-7) from Majlis Park to Maujpur (12.55 km) under Phase-4 for the contract related to architectural finishing work including design and construction of external facade and other works at 08 eight stations of this corridor.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) invites bids for this work in January this year with an estimated cost of INR 86.23 Crores and completion period of 24 months. In February, technical bids revealed names of eleven bidders and based on evaluation, three bidders were qualified for financial bidding in which Lisha Engineers quoted the lowest bid value amounting to INR 78.65 Crores. Bid value quoted by other two bidders is –

  • Pioneer Fabricators (KMU-PFPL-GH JV) – INR 86.30 Crores
  • URC Construction – INR 93.92 Crores

Contract No. – DC-11

Brief Scope of Work – Architectural Finishing Works Including Design, Fabrication, Supply, Erection & Roof sheeting of Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) Structures and Design & Construction of External facade, Water Supply, Sanitary Installation, Drainage, Site development works at Eight (08) Elevated stations namely Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Khajuri Khas, Sonia Vihar, Soorghat, Jagatpur Village, Jharoda Majraa and Burari of Maujpur-Majlis Park –Corridor (line-7 Extension) of Delhi MRTS Phase-IV Project.

As the bid value of Lisha Engineers is well below DMRC estimated cost for this contract, it is likely that they will be awarded this contract in coming weeks.

DMRC has set a deadline of December 2022 for the operation of this 12.55 km long line from Majlis Park to Maujpur line which will have eight elevated stations.

Mumbai Monorail has 3 bidders in race to supply 10 new Rakes with lowest bidder quoted INR 606 Crores

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has three domestic rolling stock manufactures in race to design, manufacture and supply 10 new Monorail Rakes of four cars each for the Mumbai Monorail Project.

These three bidders are Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Medha Servo Drives Private Limited – SMH (Malaysia) JV and Titagarh Wagons Limited. Earlier, MMRDA in August 2020, re-invited tender for the third time for this contract with an estimated cost of INR 546 crores and a completion period of 130 weeks. As per tender, there is a requirement of sourcing 50% local content in manufacturing these new trains which promotes Make in India policy of Union Government.

Technical bids were opened in March this year which revealed names of above given bidders. The latest update as per sources is that the MMRDA has opened the financial bids for this contract and the lowest bidder has quoted bid value of around INR 606 Crores. However, the name of the lowest bidder including bid values by other firms in still not known.

Contract No. –  MONORS3

Name of Work – Design, Manufacture, Supply, Testing And Commissioning Of 10 Nos. Of Monorail Train Sets Of 4 Cars Each And Training Of Personnel For Mumbai Monorail Project.

This contract aims to promote Make in India initiative of the Central Government as trains sets are to be manufactured in India with 50% local content rather than being imported. This new train sets will operate on the 20.21 km long operational monorail system from Chembur in Eastern Mumbai to Jacob Circle in South Mumbai.

These train sets will be equipped with a self-propelled system with first train is expected to be delivered in 14 months and all trains sets to be delivered by 2023-24.

Mumbai Metro Line-3 cost escalated by Rs. 10,000 Cr in 5 years

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The cost of Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Line (Line-3) of Mumbai Metro has escalated by over INR 10,000 Crores to INR 33,406 Crores in 2021 from its original estimate of INR 23,136 Crores in 2016.

The cost escalation for the 33.5 km long underground metro corridor is mainly attributed to construction of the tunnel, stations and car depot. It was earlier estimated at INR 10,708 Crores, but the now the cost is escalated to INR 18,711 Crores. The land acquisition cost has also increased drastically for this corridor to INR 1,483 Crores which was earlier fixed at INR 590 Crores.

Other reasons include the difference Mumbai and Delhi’s terrain. According to an official, “The original project cost was based on the terrain of the Delhi metro. It was later found that Mumbai has a different terrain.”

As per the economic survey of Maharashtra of March this year, till October 2020, the state has spent 70% (INR 15,910 Crores) of the total expenditure of the nine projects of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) on Mumbai Metro Line-3.

The escalation proposal which was sent in February this year by Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) to the state finance department has been put on hold due to the uncertainty this metro line faces after the Bombay High Court, in December last year, stayed the decision to hand over the Kanjurmarg land for the car shed. “Since then, there has been virtually no initiative on the part of state agencies to vacate the stay,” a source said.
As per a government official, “There is a perception that no further cost should be approved till the controversy over the location of the car shed is resolved.”

According to reports, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which is funding almost 60% of the total project cost, has not released funds for this metro line for the past year. “It is not JICA’s fault. The agency is waiting for the cost escalation approvals by the state and Centre,” an official said.

In February, MMRDA also filed an application seeking that the stay order be vacated as a “public project was being gravely affected.”

“After filing the application, the MMRDA has done little to push the case in the court for an early hearing,” an official said.
According to a nine member government panel headed by the then chief secretary Sanjay Kumar, an integrated metro depot at Kanjurmarg will result saving in land and construction cost amounting to INR 1580 Crores and metro car shed at Kanjurmarg can accommodate 55 rakes in comparsion to only 30 rakes at Aarey.

As per panel report the 41 hectare plot at Kanjurmarg is big enough to be an integrated depot for Mumbai Metro Line-3, 4 and 6. Hope the issue get resolved at the earliest so that construction of depot finally kicks off which is imperative for Line-3 before its operation starts.

Thales appoints Ashish Saraf as Vice-President and Country Director for India

New Delhi (India): French defence and aerospace group Thales on Monday announced the appointment of Ashish Saraf as Vice-President and Country Director for India with effect from June 1, 2021.

In this role, Ashish will lead the company’s India business and will be responsible for the strategic growth of Thales in the country across all of its markets, further strengthening local teams, collaborations and innovation. He succeeds Emmanuel de Roquefeuil who takes up a new role as the VP and head for Thales in the Middle East.

Prior to joining Thales, Ashish served as the President and Head of Region for Airbus Helicopters – India and South Asia where he led Airbus’ Helicopters’ Sales, Services, Training, Innovation, Industrial Partnerships and Government Relations functions across the Civil, Parapublic and Military markets in the region.

Mr. Ashish has also served as the Vice-President and Make in India Officer for Airbus, has headed the Tata–Sikorsky joint venture in Hyderabad and also worked with Deloitte Consulting and Dassault Systemes, mainly in the United States and Europe.

“I am pleased to welcome on board Ashish Saraf to the Thales Group, who joins us in extremely challenging COVID situation. Under his leadership, Thales will continue its decades-long partnership with our Indian stakeholders to support the country in this time of need, and once the pandemic behind us, contribute to India’s longer-term vision of building an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.”  Pascale Sourisse, Senior Executive Vice-President, Thales.

“I thank Pascale for her confidence and I am very pleased to join Thales where I will apply all my experience and energy to serve our activities and staff in India. I would like to express our solidarity as the country bravely battles the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  We stand united with our employees, their families, our customers and the people at large, and look forward to overcoming this pandemic together. Ashish Saraf, VP and Country Director, Thales in India.

He holds degrees in Management and Engineering from University of London, Cornell University, Symbiosis Institute and NIT India. Additionally, he has also served as a Board of Director and Member of the Governing Council for Aviation and Aerospace Sector Skill Council (AASSC), a Governmental body dedicated to developing nationwide skills in the Aerospace domain in India.

Noida Metro services to resume from June 9, 2021

NOIDA (Metro Rail News): Due to partial COVID curfew, metro services on NMRC network were suspended with effect from 01-05-2021. As the curfew has been relaxed in Gautam Buddh Nagar, NMRC train services will start operating from June 9, 2021. Keeping in view the night curfew and also to discourage people to move out due to corona pandemic, trains will be operated from 07 AM to 08 PM on weekdays only i.e. Monday to Friday. As weekend curfew is still in vogue, train services will not be operated on weekends i.e. Saturday and Sunday. Following the schedule of train operation will be followed: –

Train frequency before partial curfewTrain frequency w.e.f. 09-06-2021
WeekdaysPeak hoursOff peak hoursPeak hoursOff peak hours
(Mon-Fri)7min 30sec 10 min15 min30 min
TimingsFrom 6 AM to 10 PM From 7 AM to 8 PM 
Noida Metro will start Train Services from 09-06-2021

Note:

  1. Peak hours of NMRC train services – from 8AM to 11AM and 5AM to 8PM
  2. No train services to be operated on partial curfew days i.e. Saturday, Sunday and any other nominated days.

NMRC is taking all necessary measures to ensure a safe journey for Aqua Line commuters. Following special measures are being adopted to prevent spread of corona virus –

  1. The NMRC trains are sanitized after each trip.
  2. The stations, platform and other “contact areas” like Call buttons of lifts, AFC gates, Handle belts of Escalators & Staircases, POS machines etc. are sanitized at regular intervals
  3. Passenger screening team will be deployed at each station to check masks, temperature and hand sanitization of commuters.
  4. Social distancing norms will strictly be followed in NMRC premisis and inside trains as well.  
  5. Only one Entry / Exit gate will be opened at the following stations: Sector – 101, Sector- 81, Sector -137, Sector-142, Sector-143, Sector – 144, Sector – 145, Sector – 146, Sector – 147, Sector -148, Alpha -1, Delta – 1 and GNIDA Office.
  6. The stations where both Entry / Exit gsates will be kept open are: Sector – 51, Sector –50, Sector –76, NSEZ, Sector-83, KP-II, Pari chowk, Depot Station.
  7. The Parking facility will only be available at the Sector – 51 station.

Two trains crash in Pakistan, killed 30 and 50 injured

KARACHI, PAKISTAN (Metro Rail News): According to authorities, two trains crashed in Pakistan’s southern Sindh Province on Monday, killing at least 30 people and wounding 50 more.

According to Dawn news, the Sir Syed Express, which was travelling from Lahore to Karachi, collided with the Millat Express after it derailed on its route to Sargodha from Karachi.

According to the report, the severe disaster occurred at Dharki, a city in the Ghotki region of upper Sindh, when the bogies of the Millat Express train toppled.

Hospitals in Ghotki, Dharki, Obaro, and Mirpur Mathelo have declared an emergency.

According to Ghotki Deputy Commissioner Usman Abdullah, at least 30 persons were murdered and 50 were injured in the event.

Officials were also having problems retrieving persons who had become trapped within the crowded bogies.

Awaiting for more details.

Updated news

Several passengers were stuck in the crumpled debris caused by the crash at Daharki, in a remote section of rural Sindh province, for hours before rescue teams with specialized equipment could reach them.

According to police, at least 43 people were murdered and many were injured when a crowded Pakistani intercity train collided with another express that had crashed just minutes before.

Several passengers were stuck in the crumpled debris caused by the crash at Daharki, in a remote section of rural Sindh province, for hours before rescue teams with specialised equipment could reach them.

Huge crowds gathered from adjacent villages surrounding the wreckage of the upturned Pakistan Railways trains, with twisted and torn metal and heaps of baggage spilled over the ground.

The double collision occurred approximately 3.30 a.m. (2230 GMT), when the majority of the 1,200 people on the two trains would have been sleeping.

“We collided, but it wasn’t too fatal,” Akhtar Rajput, a passenger aboard the wrecked train, told AFP.

“Then another train came out of nowhere and slammed us much worse. When I recovered consciousness, I noticed folks laying about me, some of whom were attempting to exit the vehicle.”

“When the other train hit, I was dazed and trying to figure out what happened to us,” Shahid, another passenger, told AFP.

The Millat Express was travelling from Karachi to Lala Musa when it derailed, leaving its carriages scattered over the rails as the Sir Syed Express from Rawalpindi arrived minutes later, slamming into it.

According to authorities, the majority of the dead were recovered from the wrecked train.

According to Umar Tufail, a senior Daharki police official, 43 people were murdered and many were injured.

According to a representative for Pakistan Railways, the death toll is 33, although communication with the disaster scene was difficult due to its remote location.

To acquire a phone connection, one rescue worker said he had to stand on top of his car.

Farmers and peasants from the surrounding area were among the first to help passengers in attempting to extract survivors from the crumpled carriages by reaching through smashed windows and roof hatches.

  • Communication Problem

The collision took place on a high part of road surrounded by beautiful countryside.

The track where the disaster happened, according to Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, a former railroads minister, was erected in the 1880s and is “a shambles.”

Azam Swati, the current minister, called the section of railway as “very unsafe,” but claimed officials had been waiting for financing from the multibillion-dollar Economic Corridor project to improve the network.

“If there is a financial delay,” he stated, “we will reconstruct this track with our own money.”

Pakistan’s army and paramilitary rangers from adjacent bases were on hand to assist.

The disaster “shocked” Prime Minister Imran Khan, who vowed a complete investigation.

Communication issues, according to Gul Mohammad, who works for the Edhi Foundation ambulance service, are preventing the rescue attempts from being coordinated.

“I’m talking to you from the rooftop of my ambulance, where I’m getting a stronger connection,” he told AFP.

Train accidents are widespread in Pakistan, where the railway network has suffered for decades as a result of corruption, incompetence, and a lack of investment.

GMRC to select General Consultant for Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2 Project

GANDHINAGAR (Metro Rail News): Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) Limited invites open RFP tenders under a single-stage, three packet system for the work of a selection of General Engineering Consultant for Phase-2 of Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project.

Important Details

Tender No. – GMRC/GEC/AHMEDABAD-PH-II/2021

Name of Work – Selection of General Engineering Consultant for Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project, Phase-II

Completion Period of work – 36 Months

Pre Bid Meeting Date -17-06-2021 at 12:00 Hrs

Last Date and time of submission of E-Tender – 19-07-2021

Opening of Pre-Qualification Proposal (EOI) – On the last day of submission of Filled-In Bid at 15:30 Hrs

For more information, applicants can download the tender document from GMRC’s website – https://www.gujaratmetrorail.com and (n) Procurement’s site – https://gmrc.nprocure.com 

Phase-2 of Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project comprises construction of 28.25 km long fully elevated corridor in 2 parts. The first part is Line-2 from Motera Stadium to Mahatma Mandir of length 22.83 km with 20 stations while the second part is Line-3 from GNLU to GIFT City of length 5.41 km with two stations.

Phase-2 received approval from Union Government in February 2019 with an estimated cost of INR 5384.17 Crores with civil construction activities started from February this year.

Pune Metro Update: PMC and SRA begin rehabilitation of families living in Kamgar Putla Slums

PUNE (Metro Rail News): The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) along with the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) have started shifting families residing in Kamgar Putla and Rajiv Gandhinagar slums to other SRA sites. This land will be utilized for Pune Metro Rail Project.

The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) will use this land to construct two interconnected stations for two different metro lines, at the Shivajinagar godown site and the adjoining slums of Kamgar Putla. The construction work includes viaduct and a bridge to cross the railway tracks.

A total of 1000 families are expected to be shifted in phased manner in Viman nagar and Hadapsar. The shifting process has began after multiple discussions and consultations with the stakeholders and also completion of technical formalities.

The land would be used for the piers of the elevated Vanaz-Ramwadi Line-2 and also for the Line-3 from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar which will also have a station at this location.

As per Nitin Udas, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, the administration was fine tuning the list of eligible residents for the past three months.

“As part of the process, the residents were told to produce certain documents.
Some did not submit relevant documents and raised objections. We held hearings in each case,” he said.

SRA officials have initiated the process of registering the homes with the sub-registrar offices. The process is expected to be complete by next week, officials said.

Delhi Metro services to resumes from June 7 with 50% seating capacity only

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): In a big relief to the people of NCR, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today announced that the Delhi Metro will resume services from Monday. With Covid-19 cases continue to decline in the Capital, the unlock process has started gradually in Delhi and now Delhi Metro will also begin operation. However, the authorities capped the maximum capacity of the metro trains to 50% as operations of trains resume from Monday.

As said by Metro Rail News in previous news on resumption of Delhi Metro services from 7th of June, the announcement was finally made today as people are demanding and expecting for resumption of services of Delhi Metro, the lifeline of Delhi, which is not only imperative for Delhi but also to other NCR cities such as Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram etc.

In order to maintain social distancing, the seating arrangement of passengers leaving a seat in the coach will remain the same as before. Commuters must download the Arogya Setu App.

There will be thermal screening of passengers before entering the metro station. Metro stations may also get closed if social distancing protocols are not followed as done before also.

Citizens also want the strictness to continue but at the same time also want exemption in the metro for people who are travelling to get Covid-19 vaccination along with exemption to pregnant women.

On June 7, 2021, only half of the available trains will be inducted into service with a frequency ranging from approx. 5 to 15 min on different Lines. The number of trains will be inducted in full strength in a graded manner by Wednesday and thereafter, services will be available as per normal frequency which was available before the lockdown.

General public is advised to cooperate with the Metro authorities in ensuring compliance to Covid appropriate behaviour inside Metro premises throughout their travel.

Entry at stations will continue to be regulated through identified gates as was the practice earlier. DMRC is also writing to authorities for maintenance of law & order outside stations to handle the extra rush as services resume from Monday in the ongoing pandemic scenario.

Delhi Metro rail network is by far the largest and busiest metro system in India with a total length of 348 km along with 253 stations serving NCR with an average daily ridership of 4.7 million.

Kanpur Metro Trial run of Priority Corridor will be held in November 2021- MD Kumar Keshav

KANPUR (Metro Rail News): Today, on the occasion of World Environment Day, Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (UPMRC) Managing Director, Mr. Kumar Keshav came to Kanpur and planted a sapling at the Polytechnic Metro Depot. Throughout the visit, he inspected the stations of Priority Corridor and Metro Depot. During the inspection, he clarified that regardless of two waves of COVID-19 the deadline for the trial run remains intact and it is the endeavour of UP Metro to conduct the trial run on the Priority Corridor only in November 2021.

MD Shri Kumar Keshav started his visit from IIT-K Metro Station. After inspecting the IIT’s concourse, platform, and all the technical rooms, he reached Kalyanpur by walking on the viaduct of the Metro and examine the track work. Subsequently, he reached Metro Depot by reviewing the work progress of Receiving Sub Station (RSS) which is being built at Awadhpuri.

Expressing gratification over the pace of work at the Polytechnic Depot, he said, “The Machines of various systems will start being installed in the Metro Depot from July 2021 and by August the depot will be ready to welcome Metro Trains. The Metro Trains are being prepared at Savli Plant in Gujarat will start coming to Kanpur in September this year.” After reviewing the work of Depot, MD also visited Geeta Nagar, LLR (Hallet), and Motijheel Metro Stations.

Mumbai Metro achieves 38th Breakthrough at CSMT Metro Station for Line-3

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) achieved 38th 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.

As per MMRC, the Robbins TBM Surya-1 has completed its final upline drive of 557 metres from Hutatma Chowk to CSMT Metro Station in 149 days using 405 concrete rings. With this, the 5.8-km-long tunnel from Cuffe Parade to CSMT Metro Station has been completed and the entire tunnelling scope of package-1 has been accomplished.

“We are pleased to announce 100% completion of tunneling work in 6 out of 7 contract packages covering the entire 33.5 km stretch. Package-1 completed this demanding task ensuring safety of the historical buildings in the heritage precinct. Our team of contractors, experts, engineers and workers completed this challenging work efficiently.” said Mr. Ranjit Singh Deol, Managing Director, MMRC.

Package-1 includes Cuffe Parade, Vidhan Bhavan, Churchgate and Hutatma Chowk Metro stations. It has now witnessed a total of eight breakthroughs –

  • Cuffe Parade to Vidhan Bhavan (Upline 1,228m and Downline 1,254 m)
  • Vidhan Bhavan to Churchgate (Upline 498 m and Downline 481 m)
  • Churchgate to Hutatma Chowk (Upline 654 m)
  • Hutatma Chowk to CSMT (Upline 557 m and Downline 569 m).

The overall tunnelling completed on the project is 52km which is approximately 96% of the total project.

Mumbai Metro Line-3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) is a 33.5 km long fully underground line with 27 stations which would connect 06 business districts, 30 educational institutes, 30 recreational facilities and domestic as well as international airport terminals. 

It will have five interchange points for suburban railway and one each for Monorail and ‘Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar’ Line-1.

MMRC, a joint venture of the Govt. of India and the Government of Maharashtra, is the nodal agency responsible for the implementation of Mumbai Metro Line-3 project. 

Surat Metro work is progressing well despite Covid-19 challenges

SURAT (Metro Rail News): Work on Surat Metro Rail Project is progressing well despite the menace of Covid-19 pandemic. At present work is under construction on 21.61 km long Line-1 from Dream City to Sarthana under Phase-1. Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) is the implementing agency for this project.

On Line-1, 77.27% of geotechnical investigation and 47% test pile casting work is completed for Dream City to Kadarsha Ni Nal elevated section of 11.6 km. In January this year, a joint venture of Sadbhav Engineering Ltd. and SP Singla Constructions Pvt. Ltd. was awarded the contract for construction of this elevated section with 10 stations for INR 779.73 Crores with a completion period of 30 months.

According to GMRC official, “In test pile casting, we check load capacity. We try to find out if the design matches the requirements of the spot of construction. So far, the results are satisfactory.”

As per Banchhanidhi Pani, Surat Municipal Commissioner, “The project work continued amid the pandemic and testing work is completed on some portion. As the situation becomes normal the work will take speed.”
At present, 300 workers are available for construction activities at various locations of city. “In normal circumstances we would have completed the pile testing work at least on one section.
We are delayed by one month but we will cover it soon by increasing our total workforce and machinery,” said the official.

“We will gradually increase the total workforce to 1,000 labourers by the end of August that will accelerate the work further,” he added.

Line-1 of Surat Metro comprises construction of 21.61 km long corridor from Sarthana to Dream City with 20 stations on the route. The corridor has elevated portion of 15.14 km and underground section of 6.47 km. This corridor will be built in 3 packages for which contracts are already awarded. The total estimated cost is INR 12,020 Crores.

9 bidders shortlisted for redevelopment of CSMT Railway Station

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC) has shortlisted 09 bidders for the redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Railway Station (CSMT) of Mumbai.

In August 2020, IRSDC invited RFQ (Request for Qualification) to redevelop CSMT Railway station and transform it into iconic city centre and in January 2021, it opened the RFQ applications of CSMT Railway station which revealed name of 10 applicants. After evaluation, IRSDC shortlisted 09 applicants as qualified for the next stage. The names of the qualified bidders are –

  • M/s Godrej Properties Limited
  • M/s Anchorage Infrastructure Investments Holdings Limited
  • M/s Oberoi Realty Limited
  • M/s ISQ Asia Infrastructure Investments Pte Ltd.
  • M/s Adani Railways Transport Limited
  • M/s Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd
  • M/s GMR Enterprises Private Limited
  • M/s Moribus Holdings Pte, Ltd.
  • M/s BIF IV Infrastructure Holding DIFC Pvt. Ltd.

“Nine firms have qualified the RFQ stage for the redevelopment of CSMT station. As the next steps, IRSDC will float a Request for Proposal (RFP) soon to the qualified bidders. CSMT railway station redevelopment is one of our most ambitious projects and we at IRSDC are committed to transform the CSMT railway station into a state of the art transport hub” said SK Lohia, Managing Director & CEO – IRSDC.

“CSMT railway station redevelopment is one of our most ambitious projects and we at IRSDC are committed to transform the CSMT railway station into a state of the art transport hub”, he said.

The cost of station redevelopment including the cost of financing as well as contingency etc. is INR 1642 Crores. The investment opportunity for redevelopment is on the basis of Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT).

The Applications were evaluated in accordance to the Financial Capacity, which had two criteria.

  • Minimum Net worth: INR 821 Crores at the close of preceding financial year OR
  • Minimum ACI: INR 821 Crores at the close of the preceding financial year (for AIF or Foreign Investment Fund).

The construction and O&M experience capacity shall have to be met after the award of the project. The entire bidding procedure is a two-stage bidding process consisting of RFQ and Request for Proposal (RFP).

The selected bidder at the RFP stage shall take up the redevelopment of the CSMT Railway station The Request for Proposal (RFP) for CSMT is under preparation and will be called shortly from the shortlisted applicants.

RLDA invites bids for leasing land parcel in Amravati for commercial development

Amravati, Maharashtra (Metro Rail News): Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Railways, has floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) for leasing a railway land parcel in Amravati for commercial development. Spanning across 10,080 sq. m., the land parcel is located in the vicinity of the Amravati railway station in a Commercial hub comprising Irwin Square to Malviya Chowk, railway station road, and the road leading to the Dafrin Government Hospital, as spokes of connectivity. It has a proposed Built-Up Area of 11088 sq m. utilising permissible Floor Space Index (FSI) of 1.10. The reserve price for the plot to be leased out for 45 years is Rs.25.0 crores. The online pre-bid meeting will be held on 9th June 2021, and the deadline for bid submission is 23rd July 2021.

The property is on one of the city’s busiest arterial roads and is accessible from the roads connecting Morshi and Walgaon. The property is situated at Irwin square, which also houses the State Government General Hospital and enjoys excellent access, frontage and visibility. It is well-connected to prominent landmarks such as Central Bus Stand, market, Collector Office, Dist. Court, Amravati Zilla Parishad Office, Municipal Corporation & Govt. Central Hospital, etc.

“Amravati is the second-largest city and an industrial hub in Vidarbha, Maharashtra. The land parcel is bounded by Amravati Railway Station on one side and Major Roads on other sides and enjoys excellent connectivity to the prominent landmarks of the city. The proposed commercial development on the site will boost real estate, retail and tourism and have a multiplier effect on socio-economic development, Also, in view of the expected government push for the health sector, the site is especially suited for a Multi-Specialty Hospital ” said Shri Ved Parkash Dudeja, Vice Chairman, RLDA.

RLDA will select developer through a competitive & transparent e-bidding process. The bidding process will be carried out in an online single Stage Bid (two cover) system. The lessee shall be required to complete the construction of the project of the developer portion within ten years. The Selected Bidder shall carry out the development as per local building bye-laws. He/She will bear the risk, cost, expense, and charges and procure all the applicable permits and arrange to design, finance, construct and develop the site. The bidder will be permitted to market and sub-lease Built-Up Area for legal activities.

Amravati is situated on the confluence of major regional roads and is well-connected to important cities like Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Nashik, Indore, Bhopal and Hyderabad. National Highway No. 6 (Mumbai – Kolkata) passes through Amravati and further connects to important centres throughout India. It is also called the cultural capital of the Vidarbha region and is regarded as an abode of Lord Indra. Amravati Railway Station is situated on the Howrah-Nagpur -Mumbai line and falls under the Bhusawal Division of the Central Railways.

Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) is a statutory authority under the Ministry of Railways for the development of Railway land. It has four key mandates as a part of its development plan, namely leasing of commercial sites, colony redevelopment, station redevelopment and multi-functional complexes.

Indian Railways has approximately 43,000 hectares of vacant land across India. RLDA is currently handling 84 railway colony redevelopment projects and has recently leased out a railway colony in Guwahati for redevelopment. RLDA has over 84 commercial (greenfield) sites across India for leasing, and the eligible developers for each will be selected through an open and transparent bid process.

RLDA is also currently working on 60 stations in a phased manner while its subsidiary, IRSDC has taken up another 63 stations. In the first phase, RLDA has prioritised prominent stations like New Delhi, Tirupati, Dehradun, Nellore, Cuttack and Puducherry for redevelopment. The railway stations across India will be redeveloped on a PPP Model as a part of Smart City Projects launched by the Government of India.