SYSTRA–DB JV bags ₹612 crore Key Systems PMC Contract for Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant boost to India’s first high-speed rail corridor, the SYSTRA – DB Engineering & Consulting GmbH joint venture has been awarded a major project management consultancy contract worth approximately Rs 612.13 crore for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project. The contract has been awarded by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited for providing consultancy services related to critical railway systems across the 508.17 km corridor.

The scope of the consultancy covers project management for signalling and telecommunication systems, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems, and the ticketing system for the high-speed line. The contract will be executed over a period of nearly seven years, underlining the long-term strategic role the consortium will play in commissioning and stabilising these advanced systems. The payment structure includes a combination of INR 377.73 crore and Euro 22.88 million, reflecting the international nature and technological complexity of the assignment.

Competitive Selection Through QCBS Route

The SYSTRA–DB joint venture emerged as the preferred bidder through the Quality and Cost Based Selection method. The consortium secured the highest technical score among all bidders, while also submitting the lowest financial offer, giving it a decisive edge in the evaluation process. The competing consortium, led by AYESA along with ITALFERR and CEG, also qualified technically but trailed in both technical scoring and financial competitiveness.

NHSRCL had invited bids for this consultancy package in August 2025, with technical evaluations completed by mid-November. Financial bids were opened in early January 2026, paving the way for final award. With this development, all major consultancy packages for the MAHSR project now stand awarded, following the earlier appointment of Tata Consulting Engineers-led joint venture for civil works in 2021.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, said that awarding system-level PMC contracts marks a crucial transition phase for the project. “High-speed rail is as much about advanced systems as it is about civil infrastructure. Appointing an experienced international consultancy for signalling, SCADA and ticketing strengthens the foundation for safe, reliable and globally benchmarked operations on India’s first bullet train corridor,” she said.

Integration with Signalling Contractors and Rolling Stock Progress

The SYSTRA–DB JV will work closely with the DRA Infracon – Siemens joint venture, which was awarded the contract for supplying and implementing the signalling and telecommunication systems in June 2025. Effective coordination between system suppliers and project managers is expected to be critical for timely commissioning of the corridor.

Attention is also increasingly shifting towards rolling stock readiness. Indigenous manufacturer BEML is currently developing two eight-coach trainsets capable of operating at speeds of up to 250 kmph. Preliminary designs are reportedly complete, with detailed design work underway. Industry watchers note that to meet the target of commencing services by August 15, 2027, prototype rollout and dynamic testing will need to begin by the end of this year.

Dr. Vinod Shah, Director General of the Indian Chamber of Railway Industries, highlighted the broader industrial impact of the award. “The MAHSR project is becoming a catalyst for capability building in high-speed rail systems in India. Contracts like this not only ensure technical rigour but also help Indian industry align with global standards in signalling, automation and passenger systems,” he said.

With consultancy, civil works, systems contracts and rolling stock development progressing in parallel, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project is steadily moving from construction towards systems integration and operational readiness, marking a defining phase in India’s railway modernisation journey.