Metro in the making: CIDCO begins search for consultant

The consultant will have to formulate a strategy for 3 lines to be built with Rs 8,200 cr

While the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) is awaiting the safety clearance for commercial operation of phase one of Line one of Navi Mumbai metro, it has floated Request for Proposal (RFP) for appointment of consultant for the formulation of development strategy for the proposed Metro lines two, three and four.

The consultant will have to study various models adopted for development of Metro projects in India, and globally. This will include the study of public-private partnership (PPP), non-PPP and any other suitable model. It will also suggest the financing structure of various operational and under construction metro projects in India.

The Navi Mumbai Metro has four lines—line one is Belapur to Pendher (11.1km), line two is Khandeshwar to Taloja MIDC (7.12km), line three is linking between the first and second line (3.87km) and line four is from Khandeshwar to Navi Mumbai international airport (4.17km).

The Belapur to Pendhar line consists of 11 stations and is expected to start operations by December. The project cost for all four lines is estimated to be Rs 11,300 crore, of which around Rs 8,200 crore has been budgeted for remaining three lines 2, 3 and 4.

According to a senior CIDCO official, the appointed consultant will have to study the detailed project reports of line 2, 3 and 4 and the project report of Line 1 which is nearing completion. It will also review the policy and regulatory environment for metro projects, and will have to provide detailed reports within 15 months of appointment.

At present, CIDCO is awaiting commissioner of metro railway safety (CMRS)reports for commercial operation of phase one of line one of Metro from Pendhar to Central Park in Kharghar, the 5.3 km stretch of the total 11 km line.