Four firms bid to supply Head Hardened Rails for Delhi Metro Phase 4

(Representative Image)

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant development for Delhi Metro's Phase 4 project, four prominent firms, namely ArcelorMittal, JSPL, Mitsui & Co, and Voestalpine Rail Technology, have submitted bids to provide 16,935 metric tons of head-hardened rails. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) initiated this retender process, marking a crucial milestone in the construction of Delhi's Phase 4, which includes both new lines and extensions.

Phase 4 of the Delhi Metro spans a substantial 65.1 kilometers and comprises a new line, the Silver Line (23.62 km: Aerocity – Tughlakabad), and extensions of the Magenta Line (28.92 km: Janakpuri West – R.K.Ashram) and the Pink Line (12.58 km: Mukundpur – Maujpur). These rail tracks, categorized under Package DT-02 (now DT-02R), will be of 60E1 – 1080 grade, adhering to the Indian Railway Specification T-12-2009. They will be manufactured using a specialized heat treatment process to enhance their strength, reduce residual stress, prolong their lifespan, and minimize maintenance requirements.

It's noteworthy that the DMRC had initially called for bids for DT-02 in February 2022, setting a 540-day deadline. However, the bidding process was canceled in June 2023 due to all bids being deemed technically non-responsive. Subsequently, the bids were re-invited in July with a 365-day deadline, leading to the current competition among these leading firms.

The Four Bidders

1. ArcelorMittal Espana
2. Jindal Steel and Power Ltd. (JSPL)
3. Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
4. Voestalpine Rail Technology GmbH

DMRC's Scope of Work

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has specified the scope of this project, which involves the manufacturing and supply of 16,935 metric tons of Head Hardened Rails UIC 60/60 E-1 (Class-A), 1080 Grade, in compliance with IRS-T-12-2009. These rails will serve the Phase IV corridors, including:

1. Line-8 Extension – Janakpuri West to R.K.Ashram
2. Line-7 Extension – Maujpur to Majlis Park
3. Line-10 – Tughlakabad to Aerocity

The Road Ahead

The technical bids submitted by these four firms are now set for evaluation, a process expected to take a few months to complete. Once this evaluation is finalized, the financial bids of the technically qualified bidders will be opened, revealing the lowest bidder who is likely to secure the contract for this crucial rail supply project.

This particular endeavor is just one of the 44 system and civil packages that will be financed through a Rs 8,390 crore loan extended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in March 2021. This financing underscores the international cooperation and investment in the expansion of Delhi's metro network, a vital lifeline for the city's commuters.

The competition for supplying head-hardened rails to the Delhi Metro Phase 4 is not only a significant step for the ongoing project but also an indicator of the cutting-edge technology and expertise being deployed to enhance the city's transportation infrastructure. The successful bidder will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Delhi's public transit system.