industry

16 companies interested in elevated corridor


Many construction firms appear to be interested in the elevated corridor project, which has run into controversy for not following the due process of approvals. At least 16 infrastructure companies, including L&T, Navayuga Engineering and ITD Cementation, have shown interest in the first phase of the project that involves constructing a 22-km stretch at an estimated to cost over Rs 5,000 crore.

Officials said representatives of several firms are visiting the office of the Karnataka Road Development Corporation (KRDCL) for pre-bid meetings to enquire about the project. In March, the corporation had floated bids for the construction of Hebbal (Baptist Hospital)- Hosur Road (Central Silk Board) stretch. The last date to submit bids is June 15.

“We have been tasked with the responsibility of constructing the project and we are at it. Already, 16 companies have shown interest to participate. We hope to receive competitive bids,” KRDCL managing director BS Shivakumar told ET.

The companies that participated in the pre-bidding meeting include AFCONS Infrastructure, JMC Projects, Nagarjuna Construction Company, IRCON International, Gaman Engineers and Contractors, Ashok Buildcon and Simplex Infrastructure. Some of these companies are already constructing the Metro in Bengaluru.

The tender document indicates that the KRDCL is expecting the participation of even mid-sized construction companies. The tender conditions allow companies with a minimum net worth of Rs 77 crore and annual turnover of Rs 310 crore in the last five years to also bid.

Each of the three packages of the 22-km project is estimated to cost anywhere between Rs 1,200 crore and Rs 1,800 crore. The first phase is part of the 98-km elevated corridor, proposed on six high-density corridors as a solution for the growing traffic congestion in the city.

In April, the Karnataka high court stayed the project, including finalization of tender, until the next hearing on Monday. One of the contentions of the litigants is that the project was cleared without bringing it before the Metropolitan Planning Committee.

Several citizen groups, including Citizens for Bengaluru and Environment Support Group, have been up against it. The Rs 30,000-crore project, they say, will destroy the character of the city, including over 2,500 trees and many buildings, and displace several residents.





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