L&T awarded ₹1,242 crore civil contract for line 2 of Agra Metro Phase 1

Lucknow, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant development for the Agra Metro Phase 1 project, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been awarded a substantial civil construction contract valued at ₹1,242.79 crore. This contract pertains to the construction of Line-2, a crucial segment of the metro expansion in Agra.

The contract, designated as AGCC-07, encompasses the construction of a 15.09-kilometer stretch of Agra Metro Line-2. This line will establish a vital connection between Agra Cantonment and Kalindi Vihar, incorporating 14 elevated stations along its route. The scope of AGCC-07 includes the development of the entire viaduct for the line, the construction of 14 elevated stations, and a 530-meter viaduct leading to the Kalindi Vihar Depot. Additionally, it includes a noteworthy 2.61-kilometer viaduct segment extending from the north of the Sadar Bazar metro station to Line-1’s PAC Depot, a project previously completed by Lisha Engineers under Package AGCC-03.

Contract Value and Scope

The final contract value is ₹1,242,79,39,608.00 (₹1,242.79 crore), inclusive of taxes but excluding GST. The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) had initially estimated the construction costs at ₹1,529.29 crore and set a stringent deadline of 24 months for project completion.

UPMRC invited bids for this project in December 2023, revealing six contenders in March 2024. After evaluating the technical bids, four bidders advanced to the financial bidding stage. In August 2024, L&T emerged as the lowest bidder, securing the contract.

The comprehensive scope outlined by UPMRC includes:

• Design and construction of the main elevated viaduct from Agra Cantt. Metro Station to Kalindi Vihar Metro Station.
• A viaduct connection with a ramp from Sadar Bazar Metro Station to the existing Corridor-1 Depot at PAC ground.
• Construction of Corridor-2 Depot entry/exit lines viaduct with a ramp.
• Development of 14 elevated stations, which will include Agra Cantt, Sadar Bazar, Pratap Pura, Collectorate, Agra College, Hariparvat Chauraha, Sanjay Place, M.G. Road, Sultanganj Crossing, Kamla Nagar, Ram Bagh, Foundary Nagar, Agra Mandi, and Kalindi Vihar.

The contract also covers ancillary structures, architectural finishes, water supply, sanitary installations, drainage, external development, fire fighting and detection systems, as well as electrical and mechanical works.

The award of this contract marks Larsen & Toubro’s return to elevated metro projects in northern India, contrasting with their ongoing focus on underground tunneling projects elsewhere. Notable ongoing projects include the Delhi Metro Phase 4’s DC-09 and Patna Metro Phase 1’s PC-03 and PC-08R. L&T is also engaged in elevated projects in other parts of India, including Chennai Metro Phase 2.

Construction work for Line-2 is expected to commence in earnest by the first quarter of 2025, with preliminary groundwork potentially beginning by the end of October 2024. The project is financially supported by a €450 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The new Agra Metro Line-2 will integrate with Agra Metro Line-1 at Agra College Station. Line-1, which extends 14.25 kilometers from Sikandra to Taj East Gate, features an underground station being constructed by the Afcons-SAM India JV under Package AGCC-02.

This development represents a major step forward in enhancing Agra’s public transport infrastructure, promising improved connectivity and reduced travel times across the city.