No bids push K-RIDE to procure Vande Bharat Metro Coaches for Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project

Bengaluru, India (Metro Rail Today): The Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company Limited (K-RIDE) is seeking assistance from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) for the supply of Vande Bharat metro coaches for the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP). This move comes after K-RIDE failed to receive any financial bids for the rolling stock under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

K-RIDE, tasked with implementing the BSRP, had initially invited bids for rolling stock procurement under a PPP model. The three firms—Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), and the Spanish rail manufacturer CAF—that had qualified for the bidding process did not submit any financial proposals. According to government sources, the lack of bids is attributed to potential bidders seeking additional assurances in the form of sovereign guarantees from both the Karnataka Government and the central government.

Cost and Specifications

K-RIDE estimates the cost of each Vande Bharat metro coach at approximately ₹9.17 crore. For a total of 306 coaches, the projected cost amounts to ₹2,806 crore, excluding GST. The Vande Bharat metro trains, which were unveiled on April 30, are designed for routes ranging between 100 km and 250 km.

The procurement process, as outlined in the BSRP sanction letter, was intended to occur in two stages: Request for Qualification (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP) under the PPP model. Although the three firms qualified in the RFQ stage, none proceeded to submit financial bids. Consequently, K-RIDE is now exploring an alternative approach to procurement.

Alternative Procurement Plan

With the initial deadline for financial bids—July 11—extended to August 12, K-RIDE is considering procuring the Vande Bharat metro coaches through equity funding involving the Karnataka Government and the Ministry of Railways. Dr. Manjula N, Managing Director of K-RIDE, has requested the Railway Board's 'in principle' approval to procure the rolling stock through ICF in Chennai.

Additionally, K-RIDE has proposed certain structural and technical modifications to the Vande Bharat metro coaches to align them with the BSRP’s detailed project report. Required changes include compatibility with a 17-tonne axle load, a carrying capacity of 300 passengers per coach, integration with the CBTC signalling system, and adherence to a 24-month delivery period.

Procurement Timeline

Under the new plan, ICF would supply coaches until 2030, with production beginning in 2025-26. The proposed production schedule includes the delivery of two prototype trains initially, followed by a supply of 60 coaches per year until 2029-30, and the remaining 54 coaches in 2030-31.

K-RIDE officials emphasize that this 'Plan B' will be executed only if no financial bids are received by the extended deadline. Should bids be received by August 12, the PPP model for procurement will proceed. The decision to approach ICF was made after a thorough feasibility analysis and discussions with technical experts, concluding that ICF can meet the requirements with the necessary modifications.

Project Progress

K-RIDE remains optimistic about acquiring the rolling stock before the commissioning of the railway corridors. Corridor 2, extending 7.4 km from Chikkabanavara to Yeshwantpur, is expected to be the first to be completed and commissioned by December 2025. This corridor, part of the Mallige line, will connect Benniganahalli to Chikkabanavara via Hebbal and Yeshwanthpura.

The BSRP is divided into four corridors:

• Sampige: 41.4 km
• Mallige: 25.01 km
• Parijaatha: 35.52 km
• Kanaka: 46.24 km

Currently, over 25 percent of the work on Corridor 2 has been completed, less than 2 percent on Corridor 4, and no work has commenced on Corridors 1 and 3.

K-RIDE’s proactive approach in seeking alternative procurement methods reflects its commitment to advancing the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project despite the challenges faced in the bidding process. The shift to procuring Vande Bharat metro coaches through ICF, with planned modifications and a detailed production timeline, aims to ensure the timely completion of this vital infrastructure project.