L&T may soon start work to construct underground Chennai Metro Rail stations in the stretch between AG-DMS and Saidapet stations as the tenders have been finalised. But it may take more time to begin work along Anna Salai from Government Estate to AG-DMS as Chennai Metro Rail has decided to recall the tenders for this stretch.
According to sources, in bidding for both stretches from AG-DMS to Saidapet and Government Estate to AG-DMS respectively, L&T and Afcons Infrastructure Limited were the only bidders. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has decided to give the work from AG-DMS to Saidapet to L&T but plans to call for tenders for the other stretch; it is not clear why the decision has been made for calling tenders again.
Sources say L&T will be carrying out this work at a cost of around Rs. 600 crore.
It is to be noted that Afcons Infrastructure Limited had completed the tunnelling work from AG-DMS to Saidapet in September.
CMRL had awarded a contract in 2011 worth Rs. 1,947 crore to Gammon India in a joint venture with Mosmetrostroy for the construction of seven underground stations including Government Estate, LIC, Gemini, Teynampet and Saidapet along Anna Salai.
But in July, Chennai Metro Rail’s underground work in Anna Salai came to a grinding halt as CMRL terminated the contract of Gammon India for the delay in completion of work. The termination came soon after its joint venture partner Russia-based Mosmetrostroy abandoned the project owing to lack of funds. Hence, CMRL decided to float fresh tenders to complete the work along this stretch.
Work on underground stations between AG-DMS and Saidapet to begin