DMRC receives four bids for Geotechnical Works for multiple Metro Rail projects

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) received four bids for the geotechnical soil investigation works related to metro projects in various Indian cities. The contract, which covers a total of 139 km of new metro lines, includes surveying for six metro corridors across India. These surveys will aid in the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the proposed metro lines.

The bulk contract involves geotechnical investigations for the following six metro corridors:

1. Mumbai Metro MRTS Lines – 30 km
2. Indore – Ujjain Metro – 46 km
3. Tughlakabad – Noida Sector 142 Metro Line – 15 km
4. Kundli – Sonipat Metro Line – 20 km
5. Samaypur Badli – Kundli Metro Line – 15 km
6. New Delhi Railway Station – New Ashok Nagar Metro Line – 13 km

DMRC had invited bids for the contract in December 2024, setting a 12-month deadline for completion of the works. The technical bids were opened on January 1, 2025, revealing four bidders competing for the contract:

• CEG Test House And Research Centre Pvt. Ltd.
• Cengrs Geotechnica Pvt Ltd.
• Independent Consultants & Technocrates (ICT)
• Techpro Engineers Pvt Ltd.

The evaluation of the bids began in early January, and the process is expected to conclude soon. Upon completion of the technical evaluations, the financial bids of the technically qualified bidders will be opened, with the lowest bidder likely to secure the contract.

The geotechnical investigation work to be carried out under the contract includes several key activities as outlined in the tender documents:

• Borehole Drilling: Drilling 150 mm diameter boreholes to a depth of up to 30 meters in various soil types.
• Standard Penetration Tests: Conducting tests at regular intervals of 1.5 meters in the boreholes as per I.S. Code of practice.
• Undisturbed Soil Sample Collection: Collecting undisturbed samples from boreholes at each change of strata (with a minimum of two samples per borehole).
• Water Table Recording: Recording the water table level in the boreholes after the boring process.
• Rock Strata Drilling: Drilling boreholes up to 5 meters in intact hard rock or 10 meters in weathered rock, or up to 30 meters in soil, using a hydraulic rig.
• Permeability Tests: Conducting in-situ permeability tests in rocky strata and laboratory tests for other soil types.
• Rock Core Samples: Collecting rock core samples from boreholes and recording the Rock Quality Designation (RQD).
• Survey and Plotting: Surveying borehole elevations and plotting borehole locations on the alignment plan.

While the metro lines in Delhi NCR are straightforward, the specifics of Mumbai's new metro lines are not as clear. However, it is suspected that the contract may include the Mumbai Metro Line-8 (Gold Line), which is planned to connect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Navi Mumbai International Airport.

In Madhya Pradesh, a new metro line will connect Indore to Ujjain, with a key station near the Mahakaleshwar Temple. This line is currently under development, though some experts have questioned its necessity, given the region's current urban and economic landscape. Alternatively, some suggest that a semi-high-speed rail line might be a better fit.

DMRC’s efforts to expand metro networks across India are part of the government's push for urban mobility solutions. As the bids are evaluated and contracts awarded, the success of these geotechnical investigations will pave the way for the construction of new, efficient metro lines in major Indian cities. This project represents a significant step in the ongoing development of India’s metro infrastructure, promoting sustainable and reliable public transportation for urban commuters.