Seven firms compete for Civil Contract BH05 of Bhopal Metro Blue Line

Bhopal, India (Metro Rail Today): The competition for the civil construction contract of Bhopal Metro's crucial 12.915 km Blue Line, spanning from Bhadbhada Chauraha to Ratnagiri Tiraha, has intensified with the submission of bids by seven prominent firms. Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MPMRCL) recently revealed that the technical bids for this pivotal infrastructure project have been officially opened, ushering in a new phase for Bhopal's rapidly advancing transportation network.

The Blue Line, originally designated as the Red Line, constitutes a vital part of the expansive Phase 1 project of the Bhopal Metro, covering a total distance of 27.9 km. Notably, the entirety of the Blue Line falls under a single comprehensive civil package, BH-05. This package also encompasses the construction of a ramp leading to the Subhash Nagar Depot (Package BH-06), which will be shared with the 14.99 km Orange Line (Karond Circle - AIIMS) for the maintenance and housing of 27 Alstom Movia train-sets.

The esteemed bidders in the race for the contract include Afcons Infrastructure Ltd., Dineshchandra R Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd. (DRAIPL), J Kumar Infraprojects Ltd. (JKIL), Kalpataru Projects International Ltd. (KPIL), Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T), Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL), and Tata Projects Ltd. (TPL).

The Blue Line construction contract package was announced in June 2023, with an estimated budget of Rs. 1121.63 crore and a projected timeline of three years for completion.

The scope of the project, under Package BH-05, primarily includes the partial design and construction of an elevated viaduct, along with the establishment of thirteen elevated Metro Rail Stations, namely Bhadbhada Chauraha, Depot Chauraha, Jawahar Chowk, Roshanpura Chauraha, Kushabhau Thakre Hall, Parade Ground, Prabhat Chauraha, Govindpura, Govindpura Industrial Area, JK Road, Indrapuri, Piplani, and Ratnagiri Tiraha. Notably, this scope excludes an Elevated Passenger Interchange Metro Rail Station, focusing on the key areas crucial for the smooth functioning of the Blue Line.

Furthermore, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is set to finance this contract through a substantial €400 million (approx. Rs. 3584 crore) loan, a significant testament to the international support garnered by India's ambitious metro rail development projects.

As of now, the technical bids have entered the crucial phase of evaluation, which is expected to take a few months. Subsequently, the financial bids of the technically qualified contenders will be unveiled, shedding light on the lowest bidder and the potential future contractor for this vital project.

Considering MPMRCL's ongoing evaluation processes for other significant metro lines, such as the Orange Line's BH-03 and the Yellow Line's IN-04 in Bhopal and Indore, respectively, it is unlikely that the technical evaluation for BH-05 will be completed within this year. Assuming a completion timeline in the first quarter of 2024, the subsequent phases, including contractor assignment and groundwork initiation, are anticipated to commence in the third quarter of 2024, spanning from July to September.

In summary, the rigorous bidding process for the civil construction of Bhopal Metro's Blue Line has reached a critical juncture, signifying an important stride in the city's efforts to modernize and expand its public transportation infrastructure. With the potential contributions of international financial backing, this project is expected to significantly enhance the overall connectivity and accessibility for the residents of Bhopal.