BIAL invites RFP from design consultants for two metro stations at airport

Bengaluru: Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has invited a Request for Proposal (RFP) from Detailed Design Consultant (DDC) for developing two metro stations at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA or BIAL) as part of the 37-km Bangalore Metro Phase 2B project. BIAL is expecting the consultant to coordinate with the stakeholders and develop detailed design deliverables from the schematic drawings that are already completed.

Recently, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) and BIAL signed an MoU to develop the roughly 4.5 km at-grade section within the airport's property. It's learnt that BMRCL will construct the airport metro section, along with civil, electro-mechanical, other associated facilities, works and related assets, while BIAL will develop, manage, and maintain the two metro stations that will be located within the airport boundary. According to the reports, both these stations at Airport City and BIAL Terminals are at the northern-end of the elevated 56-km ORR-Airport Line (Line-5 / Blue Line) which will connect the airport with Silkboard through 30 stations.

The sources claim that the bidder shall include a detailed narrative on the approach plans (to match the scope of services, including milestones & timelines). Also stage wise work methodology adhering to the time schedule specified by BIAL, tasks, timelines, technical skills, method and technology /systems that will be used to develop and document each of the major areas of the scope of services to execute the design of the project. This will be the third and final DDC package for Bangalore's Blue Line which is being developed in Phase 2A and Phase 2B. The other two packages were awarded in February.

This airport section is a part of the total 56-km metro line called 'ORR-Airport Metro' from Central Silk Board Junction to Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru Terminals via KR Puram and Hebbal. The ORR-Airport Metro is being established by BMRCL at an estimated cost of Rs 14,844 crore and is likely to serve 7.8 lakh commuters daily. The two stations within the airport boundaries are likely to see the daily ridership of 0.6 lakh in 2024 and 1.88 lakh by 2041.