Afcons Wins Kochi Metro Phase 2’s Construction Contract (Pink Line)

Afcons Infrastructure was today declared as the lowest bidder for the civil construction work of Kochi Metro’s Phase 2 project under Package KBC3.

Afcons was the only technically-qualified bidder, so they instantly became front-runner for the contract even before financial bids were opened this afternoon. Bids submitted by KEC International – Sadbhav Engineering JV and Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) in December 2023 were found technically non-compliant to the tender conditions and were disqualified.

Kochi Metro’s Phase 2 will feature a 11.2 km new elevated line, named Pink Line, with 11 stations connecting JLN Stadium – Kakkanad – Infopark (Smart City).

The scope of Package KBC3 includes construction of Phase 2’s viaduct and 10 new stations between Palarivattom Junction and Infopark. The construction of entry/exit buildings and architectural finishing will be carried out via separate package(s).

KMRL had invited bids for construction in September 2023 with an unknown estimate and a tight 600 day completion deadline. It remains unconfirmed, but I hear Afcons submitted a bid of Rs. 2137.01 crore.

KMRL’s Brief Scope: Design and Construction of Elevated Viaduct and 10 Elevated Stations Excluding Architectural Finishes, Building Services, Link Bridges and Entry-Exit Structures of Phase II of Kochi Metro Rail Project from JLN Stadium to Infopark.

Pink Line’s stations will come up at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (new station box next to Blue Line), Palarivattom Junction, Alinchuvadu (formerly Palarivattom Bypass), Chembumukku, Vazhakkala, Padamughal (formerly Kunnumpuram), Kakkanad Junction, Cochin SEZ (Special Economic Zone), Chittethukara, KINFRA Park (formerly Rajagiri), and InfoPark / Smart City (connected to Kochi Water Metro).

KMRL’s estimate remains unknown to me, so I can’t provide an assessment on how Afcons’ bid is placed and the chances or timeframe of a contract LOA getting issued. We’ll have to wait and see how this plays out.

Formal approval is currently pending for a USD 122.3 million loan from the chief lender – Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Per AIIB’s website, their board held a concept review on November 7, 2023 and a final appraisal review on February 29, 2024.

A list of Kochi Metro Phase 2’s tenders and their status/contractors can be viewed here.

For more updates, check out the Kochi section or my Home Page! Sign up for free instant email notifications on new posts over here. Like this post? Get early-access to updates and support the site over here.

– TMRG

Hat-tip: S Raj Kumar