BS reported that the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited has taken yet another step towards realizing the metro rail project by commencing the tendering work for the 9 kilometer stretch of underground tunnel of the proposed project.
As per report, the work estimated to cost about INR 2,400 crore for two underground links in the Majestic area in the centre of the city at the Bangalore City Railway Station is expected to begin during April 2009. The BMRCL has short listed 7 global bidders from the 10 companies that participated in the initial bids.
The bidders include Fireman Transport SPA, Caserata, Italy, Norico, China Changchun Railway Co, China Jessop and Co Ltd, Kolkata, Siemens AG, Earlangen, Germany Siemens Ltd, New Delhi, Bombardier Transportation, Berlin, Germany Bombardier Transportation India Ltd, New Delhi, BEML, Bangalore Rotem, South Korea Mitsubishi Corporation, Tokyo, Japan Mitsubishi Electric, Tokyo, Japan, Alsthom Transport SA, Perret, France Alsthom Projects, Mumbai and CAF SA, Madrid, Spain.
Mr BS Sudhir Chandra director projects and planning of BMRCL said that “We have invited the short listed bidders for a site visit in November last week. After this, they will have to submit a detailed final bid by January 2009 and then the successful bidder will be announced by March 2009. Japan Bank for International Cooperation which is part funding the project will select the final bidder after a detailed evaluation.”
BMRCL has divided the underground tunnel project into two sectors which are 4 kilometer to 5 kilometer each, costing INR 1,200 crore each sector. The east to west corridor links BV Grounds to Magadi Road and north to south links Swastik in Seshadripuram to Bangalore Medical college near KR Market.
In addition to the underground work for the metro rail, the corporation has divided the project into four reaches. The reaches are elevated sections. R-1 will run from Byappanahalli to MG Road. R-2 will be from the City Railway Station to Mysore Road. R-3 will be from Yeshwantpur to Swastik station. R-4 will be from KR Road to RV Road.
Currently, work on INR 138 crore elevated sections (R-1) with 7 kilometer starting from the Byappanahalli Terminal on the East to West corridor up to the MG Road Station, covering Old Madras Road, CMH Road, Ulsoor and Trinity Circle stations enroute is on and is expected to be complete in 5 to 6 months.
