4 Bidders for Bangalore Metro’s 318 Coach Contract
Four firms – Alstom Transport India, BEML, CAF and Titagarh Wagons have bid to supply 318 new metro coaches (rolling stock) for the 73.92 km Bangalore Metro Phase 2, 18.23 km Phase 2A and 37 km Phase 2B projects.
Here’s a breakdown of how the coaches in Package 5RS-DM are intended to be distributed as shared earlier in March 2021 when Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) was scouting for a General Consultant:
| Line | Coaches |
| Phase 2: Pink Line (Kalena Agrahara – Nagawara, 21.386 km) | 96 (16 x 6) |
| Phase 2A: Blue Line (Silk Board – KR Puram, 18.2 km) | 96 (16 x 6) |
| Phase 2B: Blue Line (KR Puram – Airport, 37 km) | 126 (21 x 6) |
BMRC had invited bids for this contract in September 2022 with an unknown estimate and delivery timeframe. Technical bids were opened on Thursday.
This contract will be funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with whom the Government of India signed a Rs 3,717 crore loan agreement in March 2021 to procure critical systems such as rolling stock, CBTC signaling and platform screen doors.
Brief Scope: Design, Manufacture, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of 318 Nos. of Standard Gauge Metro Cars and Training of Personnel upto fifteen (15) years under Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase-2, 2A and 2B
All 4 bids have now been sent for technical evaluation which should take a couple months to complete. When that is done, the financial bids of the technically qualified bidders will be opened to reveal who’s the lowest bidder and most likely supplier.
If things go according to schedule, then we should see the lowest bidder getting declared in Q2 (April – June) 2023 and a contract signed, if possible, in Q3 (July – Sept) 2023.
Phase 2 project’s 21.38 km Pink Line is in the most advance stage of construction among the 2 lines, so I reckon Kothanur Depot will be the recipient of the first train-set in late-2024. As shared earlier, due to this tendering delay, I see the start of commercial operations happening no sooner than 2025.
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– TMRG
Surprised that Siemens didn’t participate
I don’t care who wins. I’m just happy CRRC didn’t participate.
This. Right here.
Well i believe CAF also doesn’t have manufacturing units in India, so if they win there may be ‘slight’ possibility that we see a similar drama happening again.
For Alstom , BEML or titagarh they should all be fine. Maybe titagarh can use that exact same train that they are making with CRRC, the way BEML made pink and magenta line trains for delhi with Hyundai rotum and then gave the same trains for yellow and red lines of Mumbai.
CRRC and Titagarh are now same dude. They went into a partnership last year, thus they managed to retain the 216-coach contract for BMRCL’s Purple, Green and Yellow lines. Thus I would at least be happy, if they win the tender again..
Alstom currently have huge order book. They will need a new factory in next few years
CAF lost DMRC RS 17 by a narrow margin..lets see if they win this
TMRG, what happened to earlier tender for 72 coaches? Do you know if financial bid is open?
I haven’t heard anything from my sources or seen news reports. I’m curious as well and imagine technical bids are being evaluated.
The phase 2A and 2B have a break up different number of train sets. Will the journey on the blue line from Silk Board to KIAL not be seamless or do we need to interchange at KR Puram.
Will the Airport line coaches have some additional features for luggage carrying.
No need to interchange anywhere if you are going from Silk Board to KIAL
Will the journey on the blue line from Silk Board to KIAL not be seamless or do we need to interchange at KR Puram.
Will the Airport line coaches have some additional features for luggage carrying.
It is better to get Phase 2A operational first without waiting for 2B because it will help lakhs of commuters on Ring road traveling from Silk board side or KR Puram as it will be integrated with the present operational lines