Kolkata (Metro Rail News): Joka-Esplanade Metro project, the letter of award for the Joka Metro depot has been issued to ISGEC Heavy Engineering Limited that emerged as the lowest bidder after a thorough technical evaluation. Significantly, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the executing agency for the project, carried out the entire process online during the lockdown. The awarding of the contract for such a big project has been executed in a record duration of time.
Financial (price) bids were opened on August 22 in which ISGEC emerged as the lowest bidder.
| Firm | Bid |
| ISGEC Heavy Engineering Ltd. | Rs. 350.89 crore |
| URC – Taikisha JV | Rs. 352.77 crore |
| Power Mech Projects Ltd. – HYT JV | Rs. 358.48 crore |
| Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Pvt. Ltd. | Rs. 360.58 crore |
| SMS India Pvt Ltd. | Disqualified |
| KEC International Ltd. | Disqualified |
| Engineering Projects (India) Ltd. | Disqualified |
Seven bidders had participated in the bidding process while four were chosen for the technical bid. The Noida-based ISGEC won the contract for the project that holds the key to truncated Metro operation from Joka to Taratala in 2021. The construction of the entire elevated Metro corridor has been completed till Taratala. ISGEC will have to finish the depot work within two years, said an RVNL officer.
The land acquisition issue of the Joka depot had derailed the project, with villagers of five moujas refusing to part with their land at the price announced under Metro Rail Act. The state government intervened and announced viability gap funding to make the compensation attractive as per with the prevailing market price. Till now, RVNL has acquired nearly 90% of the depot land and work seems to be progressing fast.
