Three firms bid for Telecommunication Contract of Chennai Metro Phase 2

Chennai, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant development for the Chennai Metro Phase 2 project, three prominent firms have submitted their bids for the telecommunications system contract. The bids were presented after Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) opened the technical bids on October 12, marking a pivotal step in advancing this ambitious project.

The Chennai Metro Phase 2, consisting of Lines 3 and 5, will span a total of 116.1 kilometers. These lines are designed to facilitate north-south connectivity, linking Madhavaram to SIPCOT (Line-3) and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur (Line-5). The entire network will encompass a combination of elevated and underground stations, promising enhanced connectivity and convenience to commuters.

The telecommunications system contract primarily focuses on the northern segments of each line, including Line-3's 35-kilometer stretch from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Sholinganallur, Line-5's 20-kilometer extension from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Koyambedu, and the common Madhavaram Depot.

This significant contract was tendered by CMRL in October 2021, with an unspecified estimated value and a completion deadline of 1727 days, equivalent to approximately 4.73 years.

The three companies vying for this crucial contract are:

1. Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL)
2. KEC International Ltd.
3. L&T Technology Services Ltd.

CMRL's detailed scope for this project encompasses the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the telecommunication system for Corridor 3 (Madhavaram Milk Colony to Sholinganallur) and Corridor 5 (Madhavaram Milk Colony to Koyambedu Metro) of CMRL Phase II, including the Depot at Madhavaram.

The technical bid evaluation process is now underway and is expected to take a couple of months to complete. Following this, the financial bids of the technically qualified bidders will be unsealed, revealing the lowest bidder who is most likely to be awarded the contract.

It's worth noting that in April, Larsen & Toubro secured the Telecom Contract ASA-05 for Chennai Metro Line-4. This predominantly elevated line is slated to be the first among the Phase 2's three lines to become operational.

This development marks another significant stride in the progression of the Chennai Metro Phase 2 project, which is set to redefine urban mobility and convenience in the city.

The bids for the Chennai Metro Phase 2 telecommunications contract signify a critical step in the project's development. As these bids move through the evaluation process, the next few months will bring more clarity on which firm will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Chennai's urban transportation infrastructure.