12 firms Bid for 3rd civil contract of Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project

Bhubaneshwar, India (Metro Rail Today):In an exciting development for Bhubaneswar's urban transit infrastructure, twelve civil engineering firms have submitted their bids for the construction of Package BBC-03 of the Bhubaneswar Metro’s Phase 1 project. This package will connect Trisulia Square to Biju Patnaik Airport via 20 elevated stations, significantly enhancing the city's connectivity and public transport options.

Scope and Details of Package BBC-03

Package BBC-03 is a critical component of the Bhubaneswar Metro's Phase 1 project, encompassing a 7.122 km stretch on the southern end of the 26 km Line-1. This section will connect Capital Hospital to Acharya Vihar Square through six elevated stations, including:

• Capital Hospital
• Bapuji Nagar
• Bhubaneswar Railway Station
• Ram Mandir Square
• Vani Vihar
• Acharya Vihar Square

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) invited bids for this package in March 2024, with an estimated cost of Rs. 630.65 crore and a 36-month construction timeline. Technical bids were opened on June 19, 2024.

List of Bidders

The twelve bidders for this prestigious contract are:

1. Ashoka Buildcon Ltd. (ABL)
2. Ceigall India Ltd. (CIL)
3. Dilip Buildcon Ltd. (DBL)
4. Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd. (DRAIPL)
5. GR Infraprojects Ltd. (GRIL)
6. H.G. Infra Engineering Ltd. (HGIEL)
7. Kalpataru Projects International Ltd. (KPIL)
8. KEC International Ltd.
9. NCC Ltd.
10. Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL)
11. Ranjit Buildcon Ltd. (RBL)
12. Tata Projects Ltd. (TPL)

Evaluation Process and Next Steps

The bids have been undergoing evaluation since mid-June, a process that typically takes a couple of months. Upon completion of the technical evaluation, the financial bids of the technically qualified bidders will be opened to determine the lowest bidder and most likely contractor for the project.

Funding and Financial Aspects

The construction of Package BBC-03 will be funded entirely by the Government of Odisha and other appropriate means of Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL). Interestingly, the tender documents for this package specify that it is a “Non-JICA funded work.” This indicates that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is in advanced discussions with BMRCL to provide a loan for part of the project, likely covering systems components such as rolling stock, signaling, and telecommunications.

Future Developments and Additional Packages

In addition to Package BBC-03, technical bids for packages BBC-04 and BBC-05, covering the Acharya Square to KIIT Square to Phulapokhari stretch, were also opened on June 19. Further details on these packages and their bidders will be provided as information becomes available.

Conclusion

The commencement of the bidding process for Package BBC-03 marks a significant milestone in the development of the Bhubaneswar Metro. This project promises to enhance urban mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and provide a sustainable mode of transport for the city's residents. With twelve reputable firms competing for the contract, the project is poised to bring high-quality infrastructure to Bhubaneswar.