BMC gets three bids for construction of underground tunnels in GMLR project

P Velrasu, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) said the final bidder who will be given the work order will be finalised by end of July.

“At present we are evaluating the bids that have been submitted by these three firms and the firm which will get the work order will be finalised by end of this month,” Velrasu told Express on Sunday.

He also mentioned that the deadline for this tender had been delayed as per request from the bidding firms. The officials maintained that the deadline was delayed to ensure there is competition among the bidders so that the civic body could get the best price for this work.

“There were many requests from potential bidders to extend the deadline. Also, factors pertaining to forest department’s permission and receiving environmental clearances also mandated certain parameters for which we had to rework on the plan that eventually led to the delay,” Velrasu said.

The new environment clearances have mandated inclusion of pipeline beneath the tunnel for water flow. The official added that since this was not required earlier, reworking on these conditions added to the delay.

The tunnels will be 4.7-km long and is expected to have a 13-metre diameter. These tunnels will pass underneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and the depth would vary between 20 metres and 160 metres, depending on the topography. The tunnels will be made by using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and will be equipped with advanced ventilation and lighting system along with electric surveillance.

The GMLR project is being divided into four phases and at present the first and second phase is on, which includes construction of flyovers, traffic interchanges, widening of existing roads and creating traffic interchanges. The twin tunnels will be constructed in the third phase and officials said the work may start before end of this year.