In a bid to fast-track the ambitious Gurugram Metro project, the Gurugram Metro Rail Limited (GMRL) has initiated a tender process worth nearly ₹135 crore to appoint a general consultant. This consultant will play a pivotal role in overseeing procurement, construction management, testing, and commissioning aspects of the entire metro endeavor.This significant move comes as GMRL aims to overcome constraints posed by the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Seeking to ensure timely execution, GMRL had obtained clearance from the Election Commission of India (ECI) prior to floating the tender. Officials familiar with the matter express determination to finalize the tender allocation by the end of June.The tender for the general consultant, launched on May 8, is scheduled for bid opening on June 24. Simultaneously, another tender for a detailed design consultant (DDC) was also issued on May 8, with bid opening slated for May 20, as per informed sources.The Gurugram Metro project, with an estimated cost of ₹5,452 crore, aims to extend the Metro line from Huda City Centre to Cyber Hub via Old Gurugram, encompassing a distance of 28.5 kilometers and incorporating a total of 27 elevated stations.A senior official from HMRTC emphasized the necessity of expediting the tender process within the framework of the election model code of conduct. The general consultant will be tasked with overseeing the project's entirety, while the detailed design consultant will provide the necessary designs. Efforts are underway to ensure swift allocation of these tenders within the coming month.The general consultant's mandate encompasses a broad spectrum of responsibilities, including guiding and supervising construction, reviewing designs, preparing tender documents, and devising disaster management and security plans.Meanwhile, 13 companies have submitted bids for the appointment of a detailed design consultant, indicating a keen industry interest. The DDC will be tasked with furnishing a comprehensive design for the entire metro system, including layout planning for the proposed elevated stations.The Gurugram Metro project is envisioned to have a design speed of 90 kmph, facilitating swift connectivity across key areas such as Subash Chowk, Palam Vihar, and Cyber Hub. It will also feature integration with the Rapid Metro at strategic junctures.Ridership projections paint a promising picture, with estimated daily ridership expected to surge in the coming decades, reaching 1.7 million by 2051, as per data shared by the Union housing and urban affairs ministry.With the tender process underway and critical milestones on the horizon, the Gurugram Metro project stands poised to transform the region's transportation landscape, fostering connectivity and driving economic growth.