The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has favoured ‘discharge’ of the tender submitted by a consortium led by Bombardier Transportation Holdings USA Inc for the elevated mass rapid transit system in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.
In its report to Kerala Monorail Corporation Ltd. (KMCL), the DMRC, general consultant for the project, cited the “abnormal rates” quoted by the consortium in the financial bid for rejecting the tender for selecting the ‘exclusive developer contractor’. Compared to the Rs.5,581-crore estimate in the detailed project report prepared by the DMRC, the consortium had quoted Rs.10,392 crore in the financial bid. The amount quoted included Rs.527 crore for maintenance.
As the amount quoted was Rs.4,811 crore more than the estimate and beyond the scope of negotiations, the DMRC asked for the discharge of the lone tender. The financial bid was opened by the DMRC after the technical bid of the consortium was found responsive.
Confirming that a report was given to the KMCL, sources told The Hindu that the DMRC had not given any proposal for action or on switching to light metro as mooted by another player.
The KMCL board chaired by the Chief Minister will have to take a call on the flagship project under the Mission 676 plan. Planning Board Member and Principal Advisor to the DMRC E. Sreedharan’s advise will be key to shaping the course of action.
Floating bids again will take another six months. A consortium of L&T-Hitachi has come forward with a proposal for a light metro.
The new player had made a presentation to key KMCL officials and met Ministers. A top official of the KMCL had met Mr. Sreedharan and sought his support for the light metro plan.
A decision of the KMCL board is likely this week.
