ITD wins ₹1,097 crore civil contract for underground stretch of Kolkata Metro Line 4

Kolkata, India (Metro Rail Today): In a key step forward for the Kolkata Metro’s expansion, ITD Cementation India Ltd. has been declared the lowest bidder for the underground civil construction of a 6.87 km stretch on Line 4 (Yellow Line) between Biman Bandar (Kolkata Airport) and Birati.

This segment is part of the 11.26 km Yellow Line extension that will connect Noapara to Barasat in northeast Kolkata. The project includes the construction of a 3.59 km metro tunnel, a new underground metro station at Birati, and subways with entry and exit structures at Birati and Michael Nagar stations.

Unlike conventional metro tunneling, this section will not use tunnel boring machines (TBMs). Instead, the tunnel along the airport boundary will be built using the RCC box pushing method. The Birati station will follow the cut-and-cover construction method, either by top-down approach with diaphragm walls or bottom-up with necessary support systems.

Metro Railway Kolkata had invited bids for this package in August 2024 with an estimated cost of ₹1,330.47 crore and a completion deadline of 910 days (approximately 2.5 years). ITD Cementation’s winning bid of ₹1,097.23 crore was approximately 17.5% lower than the official estimate, significantly undercutting nine other major infrastructure firms, including Ceigall India, IRCON, RVNL, Kalpataru Projects, and Afcons Infrastructure. The financial position of each bidder is as under:-

• ITD Cementation India: ₹1,097.23 crore (L1)
• Ceigall India: ₹1,193.66 crore (L2)
• IRCON International: 1,256.59 crore (L3)
• Dhaya Maju: ₹1,260.00 crore (L4)
• RNC Infratech: ₹1,286.08 crore (L5)
• RVNL: ₹1,310.53 crore (L6)
• Kalpataru Projects International: ₹1,311.20 crore (L7)
• DRA Infracon: ₹1,337.52 crore (L8)
• Patel Engineering Ltd: ₹1,483.37 crore (L9)
• Afcons Infrastructure Ltd: ₹1,575.73 crore (L10)

What makes this contract stand out is its comprehensive scope. In addition to civil construction, the contract includes full systems integration—ranging from architectural finishing, fire safety, and drainage, to electrical and mechanical (E&M) services, tunnel ventilation systems (TVS), and installation of the 750 V DC third rail for traction power. Normally, such components are tendered separately, but this package consolidates them under a single design-build contract model.

This tender was previously floated in 2022 and awarded to Senbo Engineering for two separate civil packages. However, the project was later restructured and re-tendered as a single EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract.

With the airport-bound stretch being a high-priority corridor for commuters in North Kolkata, this extension is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion and enhance metro connectivity to underserved areas. Final approval and formal contract award are expected in the coming months, pending clearance from Metro Railway and Railway Board authorities.