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

Afcons Infrastructure on Thursday was awarded a Rs. 1141.32 crore contract for the civil construction of Kochi Metro’s Phase 2 project under Package KBC3 by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. (KMRL).

Afcons in March 2024 had emerged as the only technically-qualified bidder, so they instantly became front-runner for the contract even before financial bids were opened. Bids submitted in December 2023 by KEC International – Sadbhav Engineering JV and Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) 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 which comes with a tight 600 day deadline 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).

I’ll add a copy of the contract’s LOA here when available.

Final Contract Value: Rs. 11,41,32,00,000.00 (includes tax)

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) from Chainage +60 m to Chainage +10640 m of Phase II of Kochi Metro Rail Project from JLN Stadium to Infopark via Kakkanad

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).

With this development I expect basic ground work to start by the middle of Q4 2024 (July – September) and full-fledged construction work in Q4 2024 (October – December).

India’s Central Government’s cabinet had approved Phase 2’s development in September 2022. A 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.

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– TMRG