Ahluwalia Contracts wins ₹893.48 crore civil contract for Varanasi Airport Terminal

Varanasi, India (Urban Transport News): Ahluwalia Contracts (India) Ltd. (ACIL) emerges as the triumphant lowest bidder for the construction of a cutting-edge terminal at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This major infrastructure development, led by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), encompasses a sprawling area of 75,220 sqm. The envisioned terminal is set to boast 8 aerobridges, 72 check-in counters, 14 security check counters, and 6 baggage claim belts. Engineered to accommodate 6 million passengers annually and handle a peak-hour load of 5000 passengers, this terminal is poised to be a pivotal addition to Varanasi's air travel infrastructure.

In response to AAI's tender for the terminal's civil construction, initiated in December 2023 with an estimated cost of Rs. 995.08 crore and a stipulated completion timeframe of 3 years, technical bids were recently unveiled. Out of the nine contenders, bids from Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Ltd. and Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL) faced disqualification due to technical non-compliance.

Financial Bid Values

• Ahluwalia Contracts (India) Ltd.: ₹893.48 crore (L1)
• NCC Ltd.: ₹963.46 crore (L2)
• KPC Projects Ltd.: ₹984.99 crore (L3)
• PSP Projects Ltd.: ₹1,030.90 crore (L4)
• Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T): ₹1,068.22 crore (L5)
• Tata Projects Ltd.: ₹1,069.00 crore (L6)
• Kalpataru Projects India Ltd.: ₹1,134.00 (L7)

The financial bid values laid out a competitive landscape, with Ahluwalia Contracts (India) Ltd. securing the leading position with a bid of Rs. 893.48 crore, notably below AAI's estimated cost. This substantial deviation indicates the potential for an expeditious awarding of the contract in the upcoming weeks, minimizing the financial evaluation period.

Anticipating the progression of the project timeline, it is foreseeable that preliminary groundwork will commence in the second quarter of 2024 (April – June), with full-scale construction activities gaining momentum in the third quarter (July – Sept) of the same year.

This development marks a significant leap forward in the enhancement of Varanasi's air travel infrastructure, promising improved connectivity and advanced facilities for air travelers.