Date:13/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/13/stories/2008041358890600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

New criterion for Metro Rail implementation

Special Correspondent

Five consortia qualified to execute the project
Government already accepts their technical bids

HYDERABAD: The government has specified a new criterion to select the consortia of firms to implement the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project.

The consortia that seeks lowest amount of grant from the government --Central or State -- will be chosen for the purpose. Already, five consortia have been pre-qualified to execute the project.

Their technical bids have already been accepted. These firms have been asked by the government to submit their financial bids within two months from April 18. Big names like Reliance Energy of Anil Ambani, Siemens of Germany, Gammon India, Emirates Trading Agency of Dyubai figure in the list. The first consortium consists of Essar Constructions, SREI (Kolkatta), Singapore MRT, SEC-STE of Singapore. The other consortia are: --Magna Allmore (Malaysia), Siemens, Emirates Trading Agency, Nagarjuna Constructions, Reliance Energy, Bombardier (Canada), GVK, Gammons, Alstom (France), IDFC and Navbharat, Maytas, Ital Thai (ITD-Thailand) and IL & FS.