Mumbai: An Indian company has emerged as the lowest bidder for 378 metro coaches, with the contract cost quoted at around Rs 800 crore, which is lower than that estimated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) are still scrutinising the financial bids submitted by seven bidders and the contract has not yet been finalised. The lowest cost submitted by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) is Rs 7.98 crore per rake.
According to officials, MMRDA had anticipated a contract cost of around Rs 3,900 crore for 378 coaches but the lowest bidder quoted Rs 3,015 crore. “The scrutiny and examination by DMRC/ADB is yet to be done, after which only the lowest bidder can be declared and work order can be placed,” said R.A. Rajeev, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA. “This may take another week or so; DMRC is handling this bidding process,” he added.
The coaches are being purchased for Metro 2A (D.N. Nagar to Dahisar), metro 2B (D.N. Nagar to Mandale) and Metro 7 (Andheri east to Dahisar east). “The coach rate of Rs 7.98 crore is the cheapest till date in India,” said Rajeev.
