BARSYL-led JV wins Feasibility Study Contract for Bangalore – Hosur Metro Line

Bengaluru, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant development for the urban transit landscape, the joint venture between Balaji Railroad Systems (BARSYL) and Habog Consultants emerged as the lowest bidder to undertake the preparation of a detailed feasibility report (DFR) for the construction of a mass transit line connecting Bangalore's Bommasandra and Hosur in Tamil Nadu. The announcement was made on Saturday, marking a crucial step in advancing this ambitious inter-state project.

The proposed mass transit line, spanning approximately 18 km, will traverse the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu along NH-44, passing through Attibelle. Notably, 11.5 km of the route falls within Karnataka, while the remaining 6.5 km is situated in Tamil Nadu. The northern origin point of this line aligns with the under-construction 19.143 km Yellow Line of Bangalore Metro Phase 2 project.

The feasibility study, commissioned by Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL), will play a pivotal role in determining crucial aspects of the project, including alignment, the type of transit system (Metro, Metrolite, Metro Neo), estimated ridership, station and depot locations, and associated construction costs.

In the competitive bidding process, the financial bid values revealed the following standings:

• BARSYL – Habog JV: Rs 29.44 lakh
• Almondz Global Infra – Four Wall Consultancy JV: Rs 58.71 lakh
• L&T Infrastructure Engineering: Rs 62.68 lakh
• RITES Ltd: Rs 64.36 lakh
• Aarvee Associates: Rs 64.54 lakh

RINA Consulting submitted the highest bid at Rs 2.07 crore.

The feasibility contract, issued under the tender name CMRL/DESIGN/2023 DFR Hosur Bommasandra MRTS, was open for bids in August 2023, with a 180-day completion deadline. The technical bidding phase, which attracted 11 participants, concluded in September this year.

While the estimate of CMRL remains undisclosed, the competitive position of BARSYL – Habog JV in the bidding process indicates a favorable standing. If the contract is awarded by the year-end, the feasibility report is anticipated to be ready by Q3 2024. Subsequently, the project will progress to the creation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR), a phase estimated to take 6 to 12 months.

Following the approval of the DPR, the project will undergo standard approval processes, with concurrent efforts to secure funding. Realistically, construction activities may not commence before 2026, emphasizing the long-term vision and meticulous planning required for such transformative urban transit initiatives.