SAIL awarded Track Supply Contract for New ISBT Depot of Patna Metro Rail Project

Patna, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant development for the Patna Metro Phase 1 project, the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) has clinched a contract worth Rs. 11.34 crores from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The contract Package PT-7R involves the manufacturing and supply of 1200 metric tons (MT) of Class A grade rails designated for the Track of New ISBT Depot.

The New ISBT Depot, an integral part of the 30.91 km Patna Metro Phase 1 project, is currently undergoing construction by Quality Buildcon under Package PC-02. This depot will play a crucial role in housing and maintaining trains for both Line-1 (Danapur Cantonment – Khemni Chak) and Line-2 (Patna Junction Railway Station – New ISBT).

The awarded contract, with a value of Rs. 11.34 crores, comes with a deadline of one year. It is essential for the timely completion of Package PT-7R, dedicated to track installation within the New ISBT Depot. Notably, Package PT-8R, concerning ballasted tracks, had been awarded to S.C. Agarwal in November 2023.

Package PT-7R is a retender of PT-7, the initial round of which had seen a bid from Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. (JSPL) in March 2021. The bid, valued at Rs. 8.91 crores, exceeded DMRC's estimate of Rs. 7.65 crores by 16.47%. Unfortunately, negotiations failed, leading to the cancellation of the tender in November 2021.

Undeterred, DMRC re-invited bids in August 2023, setting the estimate at Rs. 9.07 crores. This time, they received competitive bids from both SAIL and JSPL, with values of Rs. 11.34 crores and 11.59 crores, respectively.

The scope of the contract involves the manufacturing and supply of 1200 MT of 90 UTS, UIC 60, 13 m, Class A 880 Grade Rails, conforming to IRS-T-12-2009 standards. These rails are crucial components for the New ISBT Patna Depot of the Patna Metro Rail Project undertaken by PMRCL.

The awarding of the contract to SAIL marks a significant step forward in the progress of the Patna Metro Phase 1 project. As the New ISBT Depot takes shape, the timely supply and installation of high-quality rails are paramount for the seamless functioning of the metro lines. SAIL's expertise and commitment to quality position them as a key contributor to the success of this vital infrastructure project.

The collaboration between SAIL and DMRC underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in ensuring the timely and efficient execution of ambitious metro projects. As Patna eagerly awaits the completion of its metro system, this contract signifies a noteworthy milestone in the journey towards enhanced urban connectivity.