KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): Larsen & Toubro has emerged as the lowest bidder for the civil construction contract of the underground section of Kolkata Metro Purple Line. This section, called UG1, spans 5.05 km from Mominpur to Esplanade. It is the final part of the 15.215 km Line-3, which connects Joka to Esplanade/BBD Bagh. The underground section includes four stations: Kidderpore, Victoria, Park Street, and Esplanade. If awarded the contract, Larsen & Toubro will use two new tunnel boring machines, with one machine on standby.
Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL) had invited bids for this contract in July 2022, with an estimated cost of Rs. 2571.28 crore. The deadline for the bids was not specified. In February, the technical bids were opened, and three bidders were revealed: Larsen & Toubro, ITD Cementation, and Afcons Infrastructure.
Here are the financial bid values submitted by the firms:
Larsen & Toubro: Rs. 2447 crore
ITD Cementation: Rs. 2473 crore
Afcons Infrastructure: Rs. 2486 crore
In comparison to RVNL’s estimate, L&T’s offer of Rs. 2447 crore was 4.82% less. As a result, it is expected that L&T will be given the contract in the coming months, subject to Ministry of Railways clearance.
The project involves designing and building the ramp and underground metro railway works between Mominpur and Esplanade. It spans a distance of 5.05 km. The construction includes the creation of four underground stations: Khidderpore, Victoria, Park Street, and Esplanade. The tunnels will be constructed using tunnel boring machines and the cut & cover method. Additionally, the project encompasses architectural finishing works, track works, and other related activities. This initiative is part of the Joka-Esplanade metro corridor in the state of West Bengal, India.
