Five firms bid for two underground contract packages of Patna Metro Rail Project

Patna, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant development for the Patna Metro project, five construction firms have submitted bids for two critical underground tunneling contracts, designated PC-05 and PC-06. These contracts are part of the ambitious Patna Metro Line-1, which will connect Danapur Cantonment to Khemni Chak.

The Patna Metro Phase 1 project spans an impressive 30.91 kilometers, with approximately 8 kilometers dedicated to underground construction. This section will feature twin tunnels that will be constructed using advanced tunnel boring machines (TBMs), providing a vital transit link between the Rukanpura Ramp and the Mithapur Ramp.

Details of the Contracts

• Package PC-05: This package focuses on the construction of the twin tunnels from Mithapur Ramp to Vikas Bhawan, including three underground stations—Vikas Bhawan, Vidyut Bhawan, and Patna Station. The work scope involves comprehensive architectural finishing, water supply, sanitary installations, and drainage works.

• Package PC-06: Covering the stretch from Vikas Bhawan to Rukanpura Ramp, this package also includes the construction of three underground stations—Rukanpura, Raja Bazar, and Patna Zoo. Similar to PC-05, it will involve state-of-the-art design and construction techniques.

Both contracts come with a construction deadline of 42 months and are financed through a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The estimated costs for the packages are approximately ₹1,683 crore for PC-05 and ₹1,377 crore for PC-06.

Bidders Revealed

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which oversees the bidding process, opened the technical bids on October 20, 2023. The bidders for the underground contracts are:

• Afcons Infrastructure – Sam India Builtwell JV
• Hindustan Construction Company 
• ITD Cementation India Ltd.
• Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T)
• Tata Projects Ltd.

The submitted bids will undergo a thorough technical evaluation, a process expected to take several months. Once this evaluation is completed, the financial bids from technically qualified bidders will be reviewed to determine the lowest bidder, who will likely secure the contract for each package.

The Patna Metro network aims to improve urban mobility significantly. Patna Junction Station is set to serve as a crucial interchange between Line 1 and Line 2. Currently, the construction of the 14.05 km Line-2 tunnels, which connect to Patna Junction, is being handled by Larsen & Toubro as part of Package PC-03, awarded in December 2021.

Moreover, the Rukanpura Ramp of PC-06 will seamlessly connect to the elevated Package PC-04’s western section, which is already under construction by the YFC Projects – Montecarlo Joint Venture. The Mithapur Ramp will link with the eastern section of Package PC-04, also managed by the same consortium.

The PC-05 and PC-06 contracts are the last of six civil construction packages needed for the Patna Metro project. However, a tender notice for the rolling stock and signaling contract is still pending. This delay could significantly affect the timeline for the opening of the 6.1 km Priority Corridor, which connects Malahi Pakri to the New ISBT. As of now, construction of the elevated section of Line-2, spanning 14.05 km and being executed by NCC since January 2021, suggests that the operations for Patna Metro may not commence before 2027.

The submission of bids for the PC-05 and PC-06 contracts marks a crucial milestone in the Patna Metro project. With advanced construction techniques and significant financial backing from JICA, the project aims to transform public transport in Patna, paving the way for a modern urban transit system. As the evaluation process unfolds, all eyes will be on the bidders and the impact this project will have on the future of transportation in Bihar’s capital.