L&T & J Kumar Win Delhi Metro Silver Line’s Underground Work

Larsen & Toubro & J Kumar Infraprojects on Thursday emerged as the lowest bidders for constructing 2 underground tunneling packages (DC-09 & DC-08) of the 65.1 km Delhi Metro Phase 4 project‘s 23.622 km Silver Line.

Afcons Infrastructure and Tata Projects Ltd. (TPL) had originally won both civil contracts in November-December 2021. However, since their bids were significantly higher than the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)’s estimates, all qualified bidders were requested to submit revised financial bids.

Both packages come with a 42 month deadline and are being financed by JICA through a Rs 8,390 crore ODA loan.

Package DC-08

This 6.116 km Aerocity – Kishangarh section is on the western-end of the 23.622 km Silver Line and comprises of 4 stations at Aerocity, Mahipalpur, Vasant Kunj and Kishangarh.

• Original Winner: Tata Projects Ltd. (TPL)
• DMRC’s Estimate: 1349 crore

Financial Bid Results

Firm	Bid (Rs. Crore)
J Kumar Infraprojects	1611.85
Tata Projects	1639.02
L&T	1684.35
Afcons	1854.99
ITD Cem	1926.29
Gulermak	2237.64

Brief Scope: Design and Construction of Twin Tunnel (Up & Down Line) by Shield TBM, Cut and Cover Tunnel box and four Underground stations namely Aerocity, Mahipalpur, Vasant Kunj and Kishangarh with Entry/Exits & Connecting subways from chainage (-) 760 mt. to 5356.285 mt. of Aerocity to Tughlakabad Corridor of Phase-IV of Delhi MRTS.

DC-08’s design details such as crossover locations, TBM launching shafts and Aerocity Station’s design, in relation to the upcoming Delhi – Alwar RRTS Line, can be viewed here.

Package DC-09

This 6.51 km section, with twin-tunnels smack-dab in the middle of the Silver Line will connect Kishangarh Station’s east-end (chainage 5356.285) with a ramp (chainage 11867.000) west of Saket G Block Station through 4 stations at Chhattarpur (interchange with Yellow Line), Chhattarpur Mandir, IGNOU and Neb Sarai.

• Original Winner: Afcons Infrastructure
• DMRC’s Estimate: 1428 crore

Financial Bid Results

Firm	Bid (Rs. Crore)
L&T	1737.22
Afcons	1739.64
Gulermak	1940.90
ITD Cem	2028.40

Brief Scope: Design and Construction of Twin Tunnel (Up & Down Line) by Shield TBM, Cut and Cover Tunnel box, Underground Ramp and four Underground stations namely Chhattarpur, Chhattarpur Mandir, IGNOU and Neb Sarai with Entry/Exits & Connecting subways from chainage 5356.285 mtr. to 11867.000 mtr. of Aerocity to Tughlakabad Corridor of Phase-IV of Delhi MRTS.

DC-09’s design details such as crossover and ramp locations can be viewed here.

J Kumar and L&T’s bids were 19% and 22% higher than DMRC’s estimates, so I don’t see contracts getting awarded anytime soon. DMRC will likely invite both firm’s management for negotiations, and if those fail, then we’ll likely see both going into a re-tender. Interesting times ahead.

With this development, here’s the status of all 4 JICA-funded underground packages of Phase 4.

Civil Package	Status
Package DC-05: Derawal Nagar to RK Ashram, 7.46 km underground section with 6 stations	Awarded to Afcons Infra
Package DC-08: Aerocity to Kishangarh, 6.11 km underground section with 4 stations	J Kumar is lowest bidder
Package DC-09: Kishangarh to Saket G-Block, 6.88 km underground section with 4 stations	L&T is lowest bidder
Package DC-07: Sangam Vihar to Tughlakabad, 6.477 km underground section with 3 stations	Awarded to Afcons Infra

See a list of all Delhi Metro Phase 4 packages and their status here.

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– TMRG