Consultants invited for Rs 231 bn metro rail project

In order to conduct a detailed study on the Rs 23,136-crore Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro line-III project, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation is in the process of roping in a consultant. The prospective consultant would study the project in various angle including the environmental issues and submit the report to the state government, agency reports indicate. The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) assured MMRC to provide a loan for the project, and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this loan, which is around Rs 500 crore, for procurement of consultancy services. By October 2013, the corporation may complete the procedure for appointing consultant. The corporation has invited expression of interest from consultants for this purpose. The Metro line-III project is envisaged between Colaba and Seepz covering a distance of 32.5 km. Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro-II corridor, a fully-elevated 32-km stretch, is delayed because of lack of environment clearance for a car depot planned to take care of maintenance works. The state government is understood to be also looking at alternative sites for the depot, which might change the alignment of the line completely and could lead to re-bidding of the project.