Ranjit Buildcon emerged as the lowest bidder for the three point three three kilometre elevated route between GIFT City and Shahpur Circle under Phase two B of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project with a financial offer of Rs 2,808.3 million (mn), which was three point two seven per cent lower than the estimated cost of Rs 2,903.3 mn. The Union Cabinet earlier approved a budget of Rs 10,170 mn for Phase two B, and the package aims to bring the metro line closer to the commercial heartbeat of GIFT City.

The project will include three new metro stations and an elevated viaduct to improve access to principal office complexes, the GIFT City Club, GIFT City House, banks, the special economic zone and other financial institutions. The extension is also expected to strengthen connectivity to upcoming educational and research locations such as Gujarat Biotechnology University and to better integrate Shahpur with the urban transit network.

A total of five bidders participated in the tender process and Milan Road Buildtech secured the second position with a bid of Rs 2,827.5 mn, while Rail Vikas Nigam Limited was placed third with Rs 3,077.3 mn, representing a 5.99 per cent premium to the estimate. Dineshchandra R. Agarwal Infracon was the fourth bidder at Rs 3,378.0 mn and one firm was disqualified at the technical evaluation stage. The bids reflect competitive interest among infrastructure contractors for metropolitan transit work in the region.

The successful contractor will be required to complete the scope of civil, architectural, public health engineering and electrical and mechanical work, including station buildings, platforms, concourses, parking, traffic integration and utility shifting within 18 months. Use of Building Information Modelling technology has been mandated and sections with work at heights up to 72 metres will necessitate strict safety protocols. The formal work order is expected to be issued to the lowest bidder after the technical evaluation by the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation.