5 cos shortlisted for high-speed rail link to Bangalore airport

5 cos shortlisted for high-speed rail link to Bangalore airport
Our Bureau

Bangalore, April 26

Expediting the process for selecting the executing agency for building a direct rail link to the Bangalore International Airport, the Karnataka Government on Monday shortlisted five private consortia, which include the Reliance Infrastructure- CSR Nanjing Rolling Stock Company Ltd for developing the 34 km high speed rail link from the central business district to the airport at Devanahalli.

The competitive bids for the Rs 6,900-crore project will be opened on August 12 and the letter of award would be issued on September 17.

The concession agreement would be signed within 30 days of awarding the final bid.

The project is expected to be completed in 33 months after the work starts in February.

The other consortia who are shortlisted for the project are Pioneer Infratech Pvt Ltd-Siemens Project Ventures, Lanco Infratech Pvt Ltd- OHL Concessions S.L., L&T Transco Ltd and ITD-ITD Cem-Soma Enterprises Joint Ventures.

Announcing this here after chairing a high-level meeting on Monday, the Chief Minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, said of the total project cost, the State Government would contribute Rs. 532 crore while the Centre is expected to release Rs 1,040 crore.

The Government would take steps for the acquisition of 65.95 acres required for the project.

The high-speed train, which will charge Rs 200 from the starting point at M.G. Road, will have facilities befitting international standards, an official said.

The 34-km journey to the airport from M.G. Road would take only 25 minutes