RailEnquiry

Economic Times reported that in order to have more participation of global players, Railways has invited fresh bids for the Mumbai elevated rail corridor project.The new request for qualification document for the 60 km long elevated rail corridor between Churchgate and Virar has been issued with significant changes in terms and conditions.The project cost has been estimated at INR 21,500 crore, an increase of INR 500 crore from the earlier one.A senior Railway Ministry official involved with the project said that "We have replaced the earlier RFQ document with a new one and the last date of submission is September 2nd.”The official said that earlier the elevated corridor was supposed to be a broad gauge line but now it has been decided for the standard gauge.He said that "So those players who could not participate in the bidding earlier can now participate the aim of the new RFQ documents is to attract more global players in the changed circumstances.”There are total 6 bidders, including Reliance Infrastructure, Gammon, L&T, ILFS and GMR, who had already submitted the proposals as per the earlier document.Though these 6 players have to again submit the proposals with new documents, they will be exempted from paying the mandatory INR 10 lakh fee as the cost of the form.Railways will be signing an agreement with Maharashtra government shortly for execution of the project.Prime Minister Mr Manmohan Singh in its recent review meeting of flagship infrastructure projects has asked the Railways to expedite the elevated corridor project.