Indian Rolling Stock manufacturer Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML), Canadian company Bombardier and Chinese firm CRRC Corporation Ltd, have expressed their interest in manufacturing 234 coaches for Mumbai Metro-4 (Wadala-Thane-Kasarvadawali) as well as its extension line 4A (till Gaimukh).
According to an official from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the bids were invited in December last year and recently, in the project.
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. MMRDA officials said that any further decision on the Chinese company’s bid will depend on the central government’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, who did not wish to be named, said. A German state-hold development bank, KfW, is funding for the rolling stock of Metro 4 and 4A.