Consultants appointed for execution of first section of Chennai Metro Phase II

Chennai, India (Urban Transport News): Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) appointed general consultants to provide consultancy service for the execution of the first section of phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project.

A consortium of three railway consultancy firms namely Nippon Koei India Private Limited, Aarvee Associates Architects, Engineers & Consultants Private Limited and Balaji Rail Roads Systems Private Limited (BARSYL) have been awarded the general consultancy contract worth Rs 348.1 crore (¥5.4 billion) for providing consultancy work for the execution of two stretches of corridor 3 - from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur (35.67 km) and corridor 5 from Madhavaram to Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (16.34 km) - covering a total distance of nearly 52 km under phase II of Chennai Metro Rail project. These consultants will paly a crucial role in the monitoring of the 52.01 km of 118.9 km project of phase II as a general consultant (GC).

CMRL has already called the expression of interests (EOI) for the selection of General Consultant for corridor 4 of phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project. The Japanse agency, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide financial assistance of Rs 20,196 crore for this 52 km stretch. The CMRL has decided to start construction work on these two stretches first. Recently, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has also sanctioned Rs 2,306 crore loan for construction of an 18-km elevated stretch of Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project.

“The general consultant will look into everything from calling for tenders for various work to build these two stretches, to monitoring how they are executed by the contractors. All aspects of the project will be looked into by them, ensuring that the contractor doesn’t compromise on the quality of work or safety. They will also provide expertise in several issues of the project", said a Chennai Metro official. The Chennai Metro has recently called two-package tenders for the construction of a 52.01 km underground stretch of phase 2 of the Chennai Metro Rail project and contractors are likely to be finalized in 2-3 months.

The initial work for this section may likely to commence in June this year. The total project cost of Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project covering a total distance of 118.9 km is estimated at Rs 40,941 crore.