8 firms in fray for metro’s project management
The Hindu
KMRL withholds tender to shortlist consultant for Kakkanad extension
Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has preferred to withhold the tender to shortlist the project management consultant (PMC) for Kochi Metro’s Kakkanad (Infopark) extension, since the Union Cabinet has not yet accorded sanction for the 11.20-km extension that is expected to cost ₹1,957 crore.
Eight firms, including a few from the public sector, had responded to the tender whose technical bids were opened a week ago.
The metro agency has not opened the financial bids, since the Cabinet’s decision on the extension is awaited, it is learnt. The intention to invite bids in advance to select a PMC was to save on time as and if the extension got the final approval, and also because funds had been allocated in the Union Budget. It is yet unclear whether the Centre will accord sanction for a conventional metro or whether it will suggest a metro-lite/metro-neo system in the corridor, sources said.