Does Chennai Metro want to cancel tenders for the Phase-2 underground Project?

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CHENNAI, INDIA (Metro Rail News): Last year, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) floated tenders to build tunnels and stations in the Madhavaram-Taramani area. A few months ago, contracts were awarded to Tata Projects (TPL) and Larsen and Toubro (L&T) to build tunnels from Madhavaram to Kellys and Kellys to Taramani. Preliminary work has begun, and in many parts of the city, roadblocks have been set up, and road widening is being used in many areas.

To build 29 stations from Madhavaram to Taramani, Metro Rail has requested tenders. Bids opened a few weeks ago. Metro Rail had divided the work into five packages – Madhavaram-Perambur; Ayanavaram-Kellys; KMC-Royapettah; Radhakrishnan Salai-Adyar; and Adyar Depot-Taramani.

Three firms came out as low tenders for these five packages. Although two of them won one tender contract per person, from Madhavaram to Perambur and Ayanavaram to Kellys, a third company won three contracts: KMC-Royapettah; Radhakrishnan Salai-Adyar; and Adyar Depot-Taramani.

“All three companies that came out as low tenders quoted 30% -40% above expectations. Therefore, we are considering cancelling these tenders and floating in new tenders. A final decision will be made soon,” said officials.

According to the given information, if tenders are cancelled, the project may be delayed by three to six months. “We are reviewing the revised deadline and how long it will take [to finish the job] if we are looking for new tenders. We will try to get the job done as soon as possible.

Metro Rail sources said that as the project will receive funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the two countries’ development partners will need to be consulted. Railway services under category II will first start in the area between Poonamallee and Powerhouse.