Three Firms submit bids for General Consultancy contract of Thane Metro Rail Project

Thane, India (Metro Rail Today): The highly anticipated General Consultant (GC) contract for the 29 km Thane Metro project has seen three prominent firms submitting bids, following the opening of technical bids by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (Maha-Metro or MMRCL) earlier today. The project, officially known as the Thane Integral Ring Metro Project, is set to transform urban mobility in Thane and its surrounding areas.

The contract, Package Consul-01, is one of the key milestones for the Thane Metro, which is poised to become a significant mass transit system in the region. It follows the award of the Detailed Design Consultant contract (DDC-01) to STUP, marking another important step in the development of the project.

Bidders for the General Consultancy Contract

The three firms bidding for the GC role include:

• AECOM India Pvt. Ltd.
• DB Engineering and Consulting GmbH
• SYSTRA MVA Consulting (India) Pvt. Ltd.

It is worth noting that some of the bidders have formed joint ventures with other partners. The consortia details, as shared by observers, are as follows:

• AECOM – EGIS JV
• DB – Hill JV
• SYSTRA – CEG – DMRC JV

Project Details

The Thane Metro will loop around the city, comprising a 26 km elevated route with 20 stations and a 3 km underground twin-tunnel section with two underground stations. This metro line will significantly enhance connectivity, featuring passenger interchange facilities with several key transit corridors, including:

• Mumbai Metro’s Line 4 (Green Line) – 32.32 km
• Mumbai Metro’s Line 5 (Orange Line) – 24.9 km
• Central Railways’ Thane Station

The General Consultant’s scope will include assisting Maha-Metro with design, supervision, safety, quality control, and contract management throughout the project’s 48-month (4-year) duration. The contract is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring the timely and efficient execution of the Thane Integral Ring Metro Project.

The bids will now undergo a rigorous technical evaluation process, which is expected to take several months. The selection of the General Consultant will be based on the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method, with both technical and financial scores playing a key role in determining the final appointment.

This contract is the second significant development for the Thane Metro project, following the appointment of the Detailed Design Consultant earlier. Maha-Metro’s careful evaluation process ensures that the selected General Consultant will have the expertise to handle the complexities of this ambitious metro system.

A Look Back at the Thane Metro Journey

Maha-Metro’s track record in appointing General Consultants for metro projects is noteworthy. Back in July 2020, a joint venture comprising AECOM, SYSTRA, and CEG emerged as the sole bidder for a mega contract that also included services for Nagpur Metro Phase 2 and Pune Metro Phase 2. However, GC services for Thane Metro were later de-scoped due to pending approvals.

The Thane Metro promises to be a game-changer for local transit, creating a seamless connection between key areas in Thane and Mumbai. With the successful awarding of the General Consultant contract, the project is set to move into the next phase of development, bringing with it improved accessibility, reduced congestion, and a modernized public transport network.

The technical evaluation process is expected to take a couple of months, after which Maha-Metro will announce the appointment of the General Consultant. The project's success will rely on the collaborative efforts of all involved, ensuring that the Thane Metro becomes a vital part of Mumbai's extensive metro network.

Stay tuned for further updates as this exciting project unfolds, shaping the future of urban mobility in Maharashtra.