8 Firms bids for ₹647.47 crore Civil Contract Package (BH-03) of Bhopal Metro

Bhopal, India (Metro Rail Today): A spirited race is underway as 8 prominent construction firms eagerly vie for the coveted 27.87 km Bhopal Metro Phase 1 project's elevated Package BH-03. Following the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MPMRCL)'s unveiling of technical bids on 19th August 2023, a dynamic array of contenders has stepped onto the scene.

This civil package, spanning approximately 5.34 km along Bhopal Metro's vibrant Orange Line, comprises 2 distinct sections, encompassing a total of 6 elevated stations strategically positioned adjacent to the ongoing underground Package BH-04 (Sindhi Colony – Aish Bagh) bidding process. These two sections are as follows:

• Southern Section (approx. 1.62 km): Spanning from Subhash Nagar Underpass Station to Aishbagh Ramp, this segment incorporates 2 pivotal stations, namely Pul Bogda (interchange station with the 12.9 km Blue Line) and Aishbagh.
• Northern Section (approx. 3.72 km): Extending from Sindhi Colony Ramp to Karond, this division houses 4 instrumental stations—Sindhi Colony, DIG Bungalow, Krishi Upaj Mandi, and Karond.

MPMRCL initiated tender invitations for the contract package BH-03 in April 2023, projecting an estimated cost of Rs 647.47 crore and a deadline of 1,092 days.

The firms in contention include:

• Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd
• Afcons Infrastructure Ltd
• Ranjit Buildcon Ltd
• J Kumar Infraprojects Ltd
• Ceigall India Ltd
• Dineshchandra R Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd.
• Sam India Builtwell Pvt Ltd
• URC Construction Pvt Ltd

The scope of work of civil contract package BH-03 encompasses the partial design and construction of elevated viaducts, six elevated metro rail stations, and two ramps. These ramps are strategically located between Chainages 27+000 & 28+375 and 31+765 & 36+139 for the Bhopal Metro Rail Project.

With the bids now dispatched for rigorous technical evaluation—a process expected to span several months—the competition's intensity is set to amplify. Once the technical evaluation concludes, the financial bids of the shortlisted bidders will be unveiled, unraveling the lowest bidder and prospective contractor poised to undertake this significant construction endeavor.

Notably, the contract package BH-03 marks the third civil package along the mainline and the fourth overall, including the Subhash Nagar Depot, to venture into the demanding phase of technical bid evaluation. The Bhopal Metro's ambitious vision is poised to gain substantial momentum as these industry leaders contend for the opportunity to shape the city's transformative urban transit landscape.