Chinese, Indian and Japanese firms win eight metro rail packages

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Chinese, Indian and Japanese companies have secured eight contract packages for the MRT-1 and MRT-5 North projects after the Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement approved their proposals on Thursday.

The approved packages, covering infrastructure and electrical works, have a combined estimated cost of Tk 584.77 billion, with costs 30% to 50% higher than initial estimates.

An Indian-Japanese consortium of Larsen & Toubro and Sumitomo received MRT-1’s CP-9 contract for Tk 116.55 billion for track and electrical works, while Larsen & Toubro secured CP-10 for Tk 64.46 billion to develop train control and telecommunications systems.

Japanese firms Nishimatsu and TODA, along with India’s Tata, received part of the civil works under CP-6 for the first underground metro route, from north of Nadda station to Airport station, for Tk 115.90 billion.

Chinese joint ventures Sinohydro-SEBCL and CREC-MIL-MBEL secured CP-2 of MRT-1 and CP-3 of MRT-5 North respectively. CP-2 covers civil and building works, while CP-3 covers 6.50km of elevated track and five stations.

Japan’s Tokyu-MIL received MRT-1’s CP-4 for Tk 180.37 billion to construct the main line and stations between North Rampura and Notun Bazar.

Chinese joint venture CREC-MIL-MBEC secured CP-7 for Tk 25.34 billion to build 5.007km of the MRT-1 main line and stations from the transition point to the beginning of the Balu River.

For MRT-5 North, CPC-Hanil Joint Venture will carry out civil and building works at the depot for Tk 18.47 billion.

The approvals came two weeks after the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved revised project proposals that more than doubled the original estimated costs.

The government is implementing five metro rail projects to ease traffic congestion and improve commuting in the capital.