ADB Approves $1.049 Billion Loan for Delhi – Meerut RRTS
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today announced its board’s approval to lend USD 1049 million (approx. Rs. 7827 crore) for the development of the 82.15 km Delhi – Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) line – the first of three planned semi high-speed rail lines in the National Capital Region.
ADB had cleared the loan’s concept on October 31 2018, performed a fact-finding mission from November 11 to 19 2019, and then held its management review meeting (MRM) on May 21, 2020.
Here are some relevant excerpts from ADB’s press release:
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (18 August 2020)— The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $1 billion loan to support construction of the modern, high-speed Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System, a first of its kind in India.
The 82-kilometer Delhi–Meerut regional rapid transit system (RRTS) network is the first of three priority rail corridors in the country’s integrated transport network under the NCR Regional Plan 2021. This project will finance the construction of railway tracks, station buildings, maintenance facilities, and traction and power supply. The RRTS will use advanced, high technology signaling systems based on latest standards and will have multimodal hubs to ensure smooth interchange with other transport modes. The design of the stations will feature and consider the needs of the elderly, women, children, and differently abled.
Financing for the project will be implemented in four tranches between August 2020 and May 2025. The Government of India will provide $1.89 billion and cofinanciers are expected to provide $1 billion of the total project cost of $3.94 billion. A $3 million grant from ADB’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction will support various activities, including provision of visual, hearing and mobility aids, such as wheelchairs for differently-abled persons. Training for women and differently abled on safe mobility and employment opportunities and behavioral change for public transport providers will also be given.
In addition to ADB, the New Development Bank (NDB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are each currently evaluating $500 million loans.
The Delhi – Meerut RRTS line is well under construction on an 18 km stretch between Sahibabad – Ghaziabad – Guldhar – Duhai by KEC-CCECC JV (Package 1) and APCO-CRFG (Package 2), with Larsen & Toubro commencing construction on another 33 km section between Duhai – Shatabdi Nagar (Package 3) in July.
Bids for the other 4 civil packages of the main-line have also been received. 1 is pending award and 3 are under technical bid evaluation – see a detailed status here. Similarly, a detailed status of all systems-related contracts (eg. Rolling Stock, Signalling etc.) can be viewed here.
For more updates, check out the NCR RRTS section of The Metro Rail Guy!
– TMRG
Can we expect other lines construction to kick off before the End of this year?
GR Infra will soon start work on the Gurgaon section of Delhi – SNB section. I believe they’re still mobilizing men/machinery.
Delhi – Panipat line’s DPR still requires Haryana and Delhi govts’ approvals. Whenever either govt approves, NCRTC will then invite bids for pre-construction services (geotechnical investigation, pile load testing, detailed design consultancy), so I’d say construction work is easily 2 years away from starting on any section.
Hi,
I understand that Govt has issued orders from Chinese suppliers entering as contractors or sub suppliers in the project.What impact does it have on the project especially on signalling&communication and power supply equipment’s like GIS and OHE equipment’s are supplied directly from China into these projects.Have these projects been awarded or will they be retendered to reduce Chinese subcontractors?
Can you share your analysis on same.
Regards/Pankaj
What I understand is that they are having a serious look for example Kochi Metro has canceled its bids on for lifts and escalators.The trier 1 sub suppliers can not be Chinese it was also Funded tender.
A review of the timelines of ADB approvals of this project (https://www.adb.org/projects/51073-002/main#project-pds) and the Mumbai metro (https://www.adb.org/projects/49469-007/main#project-pds) shows it takes about 1 year and 6-9 months from the concept clearance to the approval stage.
Bangalore Metro which has applied for loans for the outer ring road in December 2019, might get approval only in the 1st quarter or 2nd quarter of 2021. Do you think BMRCL might award tenders before that or wait till they get approvals from the ADB and Central govt?