Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2B: Ranjit Buildcon emerges as lowest bidder for GIFT City – Shahpur extension

Ahmedabad: Ranjit Buildcon Limited has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) in the financial bids opened for the 3.33-km elevated route between GIFT City and Shahpur Circle under Phase-2B of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project. Ranjit Buildcon submitted a bid of ₹280.83 crore, 3.27% lower than the estimated cost of ₹290.33 crore. It is worth mentioning that the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, earlier this year approved a budget of ₹1,017 crore for Ahmedabad Metro Phase-2B.

The metro station at GIFT City is currently located some distance away from the main activity zone. The construction of this new 3.33-km elevated viaduct and three new metro stations will bring the metro line closer to the core hubs of GIFT City, including the main office complexes, GIFT City Club, GIFT City House, banks, the SEZ area, and financial institutions. In addition, this extension will also improve connectivity to upcoming key locations such as Gujarat Biotechnology University and Shahpur.

A total of five bidders participated in the tender process. Milan Road Buildtech secured the second (L2) position with a bid of ₹282.75 crore (-2.61%), while Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) secured the third (L3) position with ₹307.73 crore (+5.99%). Dineshchandra R. Agarwal Infracon secured the fourth (L4) position with ₹337.80 crore (+16.35%), while Kalia Engineering and Construction Limited was disqualified at the technical stage.

The contractor selected under this package will have to complete the work within 18 months. The scope of the contract includes civil structural work, architectural finishing, structural steel roofing, signage, public health engineering (PHE) works, including water supply and sanitation, and electrical and mechanical (E&M) works. In addition, the contractor will be responsible for the construction of station buildings, platforms, concourses, parking areas, traffic integration, and utility shifting.

The use of state-of-the-art Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology has been made mandatory for the implementation of the project. As some sections will involve work at heights of up to 72 metres, the contractor will be required to follow strict safety protocols. The formal work order is expected to be issued to the L1 bidder, Ranjit Buildcon, after GMRC completes the technical evaluation. DeshGujarat