BMRC rejects plea to extend deadline for Reach 1

BMRC rejects plea to extend deadline for Reach 1

The Hindu

Reach 1 is expected to cost about Rs. 110 crore

# Reach 1 consists of building elevated tracks from Mahatma Gandhi Road to Byappanahalli
# Contractors seek diversion of traffic on parallel roads

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) Limited has rejected an appeal by prospective contractors to extend the deadline for the completion of the Reach 1 of the project by six months.

The contractors who have been pre-qualified for Reach 1 of the project made the appeal in the recent pre-bid meeting. Reach 1 consists of building the viaduct (elevated tracks) for the seven-km stretch from Mahatma Gandhi Road to Byappanahalli and stations. They said the completion period "is very tight." They argued that they might need more time "particularly because this is the first project in the city and may involve a lot of uncertainties from contactors as well as clients and other local organisations."

Sources in the BMRC said they [contractors] were referring to a particular clause (Clause 1.1.2, NIT page 3/13 of the tender document), which requires that the work should be completed in 27 months. They said they would need about 33 months to execute the work. The demand was rejected. The pre-qualified companies have been asked to submit their bids by November 30 by 3 p.m.

No traffic diversion

The pre-qualified contractors also expressed their apprehensions that they may not be able to adhere to the condition that four-lane traffic should be allowed when the work is being executed and sought to divert the traffic to parallel roads. They said they would require 14 metres of the road for movement of equipment. They said that during construction, it might not be possible to provide four-lane traffic as required.

The BMRC said the relevant "special specifications for viaduct" required that the present lane width and facilities available for movement of road traffic should not be infringed."

The BMRC said: "In coordination with traffic police authority, traffic management plans will have to be drawn up by the contractor and BMRCL. Prima facie closing of roads temporarily appears difficult. At least one lane in each direction will have to be kept open for road traffic."

The Reach 1 is expected to cost about Rs. 110 crore. It could go up or come down when the contract is awarded because the lowest bidder will get the work awarded.