Kalpataru – Gulermak JV awarded ₹769 crore Civil Contract for Bhopal Metro Phase 1

Bhopal, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant development for the Bhopal Metro project, Kalpataru Projects International Ltd. (KPIL) – Gulermak JV has clinched a substantial contract worth ₹769 crore. This contract, awarded by the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MPMRCL), pertains to the underground tunneling and construction works of Bhopal Metro’s Orange Line.

The project involves the construction of twin tunnels spanning 3.39 kilometers in Package BH-04. These tunnels will connect a ramp south of Sindhi Colony Station with a ramp west of Aish Bagh Crossing Station, encompassing two underground stations at Bhopal Junction Station and Nadra Bus Stand.

Notably, this marks the first and only underground package within the extensive 27.87-kilometer Bhopal Metro Phase 1 project. MPMRCL has mandated the deployment of a minimum of two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) by KPIL – Gulermak JV for the construction of six tunnels.

Funding for this ambitious endeavor will be facilitated by the European Investment Bank (EIB) through a substantial loan amounting to approximately €400 million, signed in December 2019.

The journey towards securing this contract has been meticulous and rigorous. MPMRCL initiated the bidding process for Package BH-04 construction in May 2023, estimating a cost of ₹892 crore and setting a construction deadline of 1274 days (equivalent to 3.5 years). After the opening of technical bids in October 2023, revealing six contenders, KPIL – Gulermak JV emerged as the lowest bidder during the financial bid opening held in February 2024.

The scope of work encompasses a comprehensive array of tasks, including the design and construction of twin tunnel cut cover cross passages, ramps, underground stations, architectural finishing, water supply, sanitary installations, and drainage works.

This contract represents another significant achievement for KPIL – Gulermak JV, following their successful bid for Kanpur Metro Line-2’s ₹762.50 crore contract in December 2023, covering a 4.08-kilometer underground stretch comprising three stations.

Looking ahead, preliminary groundwork is anticipated to commence in the middle of Q2 2024, followed by full-fledged construction activities in Q3 2024, with tunneling operations slated to commence in Q3 2025.

Package BH-04 constitutes the fifth and final civil package for the Orange Line, following the awarding of packages BH-01, BH-02, BH-03, and BH-06. Meanwhile, the financial bid opening for the Blue Line’s Package BH-05, which entails the construction of a 12.915-kilometer elevated line, remains pending.

With the progression of these pivotal infrastructural projects, the landscape of public transportation in Bhopal is set to undergo a transformative change, enhancing connectivity and fostering sustainable urban development.

The awarding of the BH-04 Underground Contract to KPIL – Gulermak JV signifies a significant milestone in the advancement of the Bhopal Metro project. With meticulous planning and execution, coupled with strategic collaborations, the project is poised to redefine urban mobility in the region. As construction activities gear up, the vision of a modern, efficient, and interconnected metro network in Bhopal draws closer to fruition.