Tamil Nadu: Bids Received From Four Consultants To Prepare The DPR For Madurai Metro

The detailed project report (DPR) for the Madurai metro-rail project has received bids from four consultants, reports Times of India.

The proposed network will cover a 31 km stretch between Othakadai and Thirumangalam.

The four companies to have submitted bids are RITES Private Limited, Balaji Railroad Systems Private Limited (BARSYL), Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers and Consultants Private Limited and SYSTRA MVA Consulting Private Limited.

Officials from Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) stated that after signing a contract with a consultation agency, the DPR will be prepared within 75 days.

According to a CMRL spokesperson, the DPR will give details on the traffic research, cost breakdown, social and economic impacts, and the implementation strategy for the project.

The state government had floated a tender costing Rs 3 crore for preparing the DPR for Madurai metro in February, 2023.

According to the feasibility report that was submitted to the government, the city would get Metro Lite, instead of the conventional metro coaches, as per a report by The Hindu.

Metro Lite can be considered either an enhanced tram or a downgraded metro. Each train would have three coaches.

Additionally, the depot for the maintenance of trains would be at Tirumangalam on a 45-acre site. The entire line has been planned as an elevated corridor.

At present, Chennai is the only city in the state that has a metro. Madurai and Coimbatore are the two other cities in which metro services are being planned.