Metro bus project: RDA finalises contractors

[Salman]

Metro bus project: RDA finalises contractors

ISLAMABAD:
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) on Thursday selected contractors for the construction of the Islamabad section of the metro bus project.
The project, estimated to cost Rs23.83 billion, covers 13.9 kilometres and is divided into five portions. The National Logistics Cell (NCL) filed the lowest bid for the costliest section of the project – construction of Peshawar Morr Interchange and underpass at 9th Avenue. Financial bids were being evaluated till late night.
According to the financial plan, the amount for this section was on Jinnah Avenue. The estimate for this section was Rs3.95 billion.
RDA shortlisted five firms and four consortia to execute the Islamabad section.
Meanwhile, work continues on the Rawalpindi section of the project. Earlier in the day, a meeting was held to review progress on the construction of a route for the metro bus.
The Rawalpindi section of the project is divided into three contract packages. The contract for the biggest portion, valued at Rs4.71 billion, won by NLC involves the construction of an elevated corridor for the metro buses from Flashman’s Hotel to Faizabad.
Chaired by chief secretary Punjab Naveed Akram Cheema, the meeting was attended by district coordination officer Rawalpindi Sajid Zafar Dall, Commissioner Rawalpindi Zahid Saeed, the chairman CDA Maroof Afzal and other officials of the planning and finance ministries.
An official of RDA said the participants of the meeting were informed that work on two contract packages was proceeding in accordance with the timelines announced for the project, but progress on the biggest portion was relatively slow.
“The officials were told that a lot of time was consumed on negotiating with NLC representatives to make the rates compatible with the reserve offer,” he added. The NLC had quoted rates some three per cent higher than the reserve official offer.
The official deadline for completing the Rawalpindi section of the project is December 31.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 11th, 2014.