Top Indian infra companies shown interest for Bullet Train civil work

New Delhi (Urban Transport News): Top Indian infrastructure companies such as Larsen & Toubro (L&T), IRCON International and Tata Projects have shown interest to participate in tender issued for Bullet Train civil work by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL). In March 2019, the NHSRCL has issued a high value tender for construction of stations, bridges, viaducts, maintenance depots and tunnels for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor.

Total length of the proposed High Speed Rail corridor is 508.17 km from the Bandra Kurla Complex (Mumbai) to Sabarmati Railway Station in Ahmedabad. S K Chaudhary, chairman of IRCON International, said that his firm would be in the race and had initiated some activity but denied to give more details at this stage. However, L&T officials are remained silent on this matter. A spokesperson for Tata Projects has confirmed that they are pursuing the project, however, the value is not decided.

They would partnered with some Japanese companies. Sources said that contracts for the civil works which were earlier estimated at Rs 20,000 crore might come down after bidding. The Rs 1.08-trillion bullet train project is one of the pet project of Narendra Modi government. As only five or six companies globally have the technology for implementing such works. Therefor, around 460 km will be open for Indian companies to bid. The Indian participating companies are likely to partner with global majors based out of Japan, China and Italy for technology.

However, key tenders like supply and installation of electrical equipment, rolling stock coaches, signalling and tracks will be open for Japanese companies only according to the agreement terms between lending and borrowing parties. Out of the entire length, 155.6 km would be in Maharashtra, 350.5 km in Gujarat and 2 km in Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Total 12 stations are proposed to be built at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand/Nadiad, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.

A depot is also proposed to be built at either end, one near Thane and the other near Sabarmati Railway Station. It is expected that India Government will sign the loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) soon for remaining part of the fund. The target for completion of the bullet train project was earlier set by mid of 2022 but it may take some delay due to protests by farmers and major political parties.