First civil tender floated for Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Phase 1

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant development for the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Phase 1 project, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has officially launched the bidding process for the construction of the Depot & Workshop at Phulapokhari under Civil Contract Package BBC-02. This marks a crucial milestone as the first major civil construction tender notice for the Bhubaneswar Metro.

The train stabling and maintenance facility will span across a 16-hectare parcel in Phulapokhari and play a pivotal role in servicing the Bhubaneswar Metro's ambitious 26 km Line-1. This line, connecting Trisulia Square to Biju Patnaik Airport, boasts 20 elevated stations. The construction project includes the design and construction of pre-engineered buildings (PEB) for workshops, stabling, and inspection sheds. Additionally, the scope covers the construction of substructures such as foundations, pits, grade slabs, RCC columns, beams, and RCC buildings.

The deadline for the completion of this construction project is set at 36 months (3 years), with an estimated cost of Rs 104.74 crore. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for February 16, 2024, at 11 am, providing interested parties an opportunity to gain insights and clarify queries. The bid submission deadline is March 6, 2024, at 3 pm, and the technical bid opening is scheduled for March 7, 2024, at 3 pm.

DMRC's brief outlines the comprehensive scope of civil works, including the construction of the Bhubaneswar Metro Depot Cum Workshop, OCC Buildings, plumbing, drainage, external development works, and road works for the Bhubaneswar MRTS Phase-I Project.

However, the 36-month construction deadline has sparked discussions, with some expressing surprise at its perceived length. Comparisons with other ongoing projects reveal that UPMRC set an 18-month deadline for Kanpur Metro Line-2's Agriculture University Depot, BMRCL allotted 18 months for Bangalore Metro Blue Line's Airport Depot, and GMRC set a 20-month deadline for Surat Metro Line-2's Bhesan Depot.

In December 2023, Lisha Engineers emerged as the lowest bidder among three firms vying for the contract to build a precast boundary wall (Package BBC-01) around Phulapokhari Depot's land. However, as of now, no official announcement has been made regarding the awarding of this contract.

While a tender notice for assigning a Detailed Design Consultant (DDC) for the mainline is pending, it is anticipated that the commencement of construction work on the line's viaduct is still at least 10 months away.

The initiation of the bidding process for the Bhubaneswar Metro's Depot & Workshop construction signifies a crucial step forward in the realization of this transformative project. As stakeholders eagerly await the outcome of the bidding process and subsequent construction updates, the Bhubaneswar Metro Phase 1 project is steadily moving towards reshaping the city's transportation landscape.