CHINESE FIRM BIDS FOR METRO WORK; MMRDA TO DECIDE SOON

MUMBAI:THREE companies, including a Chinese firm, have shown interest in manufacturing 234 coaches for Mumbai Metro-4 (Wadala-thane-kasarvadawali) as well as its extension line 4A (till Gaimukh). The development comes amid the border stand-off between India and China in Ladakh and the consequent cancellation of bids given to Chinese firms in various projects across sectors.

According to a Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) official, the bids were invited in December. Recently, Bengaluru-based Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML), Canadian company Bombardier and Chinese firm CRRC Corporation Ltd, expressed their interest in the project.

Officials from MMRDA, which is executing the Mumbai Metro projects, said that any further decision on the Chinese company’s bid will depend on the Centre’s stand on the issue. “The situation is very sensitive right now. The decision to allow a Chinese player will depend on the stand taken by the Government of India as well as the German company which is funding the project,” a senior MMRDA official said. A German state-hold development bank, KFW, is funding for the rolling stock of Metro 4 and 4A, both under-construction.

Last month, CRRC Corporation Ltd and another Chinese company – BYD Co Ltd – showed interest in manufacturing 10 additional rakes for the monorail. However, MMRDA had terminated the bids stating that it will look for Indian manufacturers following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ or self-reliant India.

On Friday, HT had reported that the authority is now in talks with three Indian companies for the monorail rakes. The rolling stock for Metro-2a (Dahisar-dn Nagar) and Metro-7 (Dahisar E-andheri E) is also being procured from BEML.

Recently, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said no Chinese company will be allowed to bid for highway projects.