Metro Rail doesn’t move an inch

Metro Rail doesn’t move an inch
More Hitches As BMRC Awards Piecemeal Contracts
The Times of INdia

Bangalore: The muchhyped Bangalore Metro Rail project seems to be caught in a web thanks to piecemeal contracting given to Rail India Techno and Economic Services (RITES) for the first leg of the 7-km Byapanahalli to Cricket stadium link.

Sources told The Times of India that while awarding the contract to RITES a few months ago, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) authorised them to build only the via ducts for the link, but has excluded the seven station buildings that are part of the project.

The tenders for construction contracts for the via ducts on which the rails will be built have not been called yet. The only contract that has been called is for shifting of utilities like BSNL cable along the path and Bescom has been finalised.

Without being given the works for the station buildings, RITES has not been able to move an inch. RITES has also not been authorised to construct a depot at NGEF in Byapanahalli which is required to maintain and operate the trains.

As a result, RITES does not have a design ready for the station building. Hence, the detailed design for the elevated portions including level, gradation, where the power lines come from, and other logistics are yet to be finalised. Sources said the design contracts too are yet to be given. “All that RITES have been given is the contracts for laying the via ducts.’’

However, BMRC officials maintained that the station building design contracts will be given to seven independent architects. The tenders for which have already been called and evaluated. Soon work orders will be issued. BMRC managing director V Madhu said RITES will be awarded the contract for designing of the station buildings. Madhu also maintained that 9 of the 25 contractors have been shortlisted for taking up the work in the 7 km sector.
There was a delay as RITES was waiting for the finalisation of the alignment on CMH Road, which has now been given. The BMRC MD said that there was no delay but there are procedures which have to be followed.

However, experts said such piecemeal contracts and the slow pace cannot ensure that the work is completed in two-and-half years. Any further delay in awarding the contracts to RITES for the Byapanahalli-Cricket stadium link could result in another year’s delay for the 5-year Rs 6,395 crore project.
The BMRC has to also simultaneously take up underground station design at Majestic, since the tunnelling is based on the type of soil found at the place. The tunnelling machine itself has to be manufactured with the specific requirements in mind and global tenders need to be called for.

The glitches
* RITES not been given the works to build the seven station buildings that are part of the project. * It’s not authorised to construct a depot at NGEF in Byapanahalli. * Design contracts too yet to be given.