After scraping the last tender, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has invited fresh bids for procuring 10 monorail rakes of four coaches each. This time, the authority is looking at engaging Indian companies to manufacture the rakes.
RA Rajeev, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA said, “We have widened the scope so that more Indian companies can participate in the process.” According to officials, companies that manufacture metro rakes can also participate in the bidding now.
Earlier in June, the authority had scrapped bids after it received two responses for the tender from Chinese companies, CRRC corporation Ltd and BYD Co Ltd. A senior official from MMRDA also said that the Chinese firms were continuously asking for revisions in terms and conditions. MMRDA is looking at acquiring 10 additional rakes for 19.5 km corridor since early 2019.
Fresh tenders have been floated to procure monorail trains after new norms kicked in recently to prevent nations across the border from bagging contracts for infrastructure projects within the country.
The tender amount for these 10 trains is estimated to be Rs 550 crore. These will run on the 21km route from Chembur to Jacob Circle. The trains will now be manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ initiative launched by the central government. It had put out new rules on July 24 to keep out China – and companies with a link to the neighbouring country from the suppliers’ race.
MMRDA had earlier scrapped bids by two Chinese firms for “seeking changes in tender conditions”. The development body then decided to float fresh tenders the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Last month, MMRDA said three Indian firms had shown interest to design and develop monorail trains. MMRDA chief R A Rajeev said that formerly, those who qualified to submit bids were those who had manufactured monorail trains. “But now, even those with expertise in Metro trains can get into the fray,” he said.