Metro underground plans run aground

Metro underground plans run aground

BMRCL has delayed the work by three months as bidders' quotations were high

Senthalir S. Bangalore



Work on the underground section of the metro rail project will be delayed by three months now, as bidders have quoted an amount about Rs600 crore more than the tender amount.
"Work on the underground section was scheduled to begin this month. But the bidders' quotations were a little high. Hence, we cancelled the earlier tender and will float fresh tenders again. We are positive of getting a lower rate through unbundling. We will be able to complete the project by July-September 2011, as scheduled. We will make up for the delay," said N Sivasailam, managing director, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), when addressing members of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI).
A senior BMRCL official said that the tender cost was Rs2,400 crore and highest quotation was Rs3,000 crore, which is Rs600 crore more. The lowest bidder had quoted Rs2,700 crore. "The package has been broken and tenders for the stretch between City Market and Majestic will be invited again. The contract for half the underground work in this stretch might be awarded in another two or three weeks," the official said.
Sivasailam said that the metro work is going as per schedule and that the first line from Byappanahalli to the Cricket Stadium would be functional from December 2010.