MRT LINE-5 UNDERGROUND STATIONS: Authorities mull retendering after bid far exceeds estimate

Amid an extraordinarily high price quote in the bid, the authorities are now likely to retender one work package of MRT Line-5 to construct underground stations and their links with the main track.

The Mass Rapid Transit Line-5 (MRT-5) project office has already sought the concurrence of the project's Japanese financier to reopen the bid for the estimated Tk 70.45 billion work.

Earlier, it received a quotation of Tk 155.27 billion from the lowest bidder.

As the guidelines of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) do not allow negotiations on the lowest bidder's proposal, official sources said, the project office now has no other option but to invite fresh bids for the work.

"Following the recommendation of the evaluation committee of contract package (CP-6), we have already sent a letter to the JICA Dhaka office seeking its concurrence in this connection," said a project official.

He, however, noted that there remains a possibility of negotiation with JICA through further discussion.

The Development Project Proposal (DPP) revised down the cost of the work to Tk 57.53 billion, although the engineering cost was estimated at Tk 70.45 billion in 2025.

The MRT-5 North project had invited the shortlisted firms to submit financial proposals on 25 February, after opening their initial bids last year.

The Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the state-run special-purpose company, is also working on revising the majority of tender documents due to lower participation by qualified companies.

The 20-kilometre MRT-5 North line, comprising both elevated and underground sections, is being developed from Hemayetpur to Vatara via Aminbazar and Notun Bazar.

It will feature a total of nine underground stations and five elevated ones.

smunima@yahoo.com