Chennai Metro Phase-II project attracts global players

Seven consortia including top railroad construction and consultancy global firms from Europe, US, Japan and Korea have shown interest to work as a general consultant for the construction of Chennai Metro's 26.1km long corridor-4 of phase-2. The corridor starts from Light House to Poonamallee bypass linking the city's core areas with the developing suburbs. Japan's Nippon Koei Co Ltd, Korea Rail Network Authority owned by the South Korea government, US-based AECOM Asia Company, France's Systra and Egis Rail, Germany's DB Engineering and Consulting GmbH, and Rites Ltd have submitted tenders for the general consultancy contract. All these companies have a joint venture with Indian players while a few have a joint venture with other global firms. The consultancy service is funded by China-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which will provide a loan of around ₹2,700 crore for construction of a part of corridor-4. General consultants will provide expertise for faster construction without compromising on quality and safety. This includes coordinating with detailed design consultants and others, floating tenders for various works and bringing in foreign contractors. The corridor will have 30 stations, including 12 underground, and will connect Mylapore, Nandanam, T Nagar, Kodambakkam and Vadapalani the fast-developing areas in the western suburbs with poorly linked areas like Valsarvakkam, Porur, Kattupakkam, Karayan Chavadi, Poonamallee and Poonamallee bypass.