AMRC to sign pact with Systra

Amaravati: Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC) is working to enter into an agreement with Paris-based Systraconsortium for preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Vijayawada Light Metro Rail Project. It is also planning to select a contract agency for Visakhapatnam Metro Rail Project by February.

According to sources, the AMRC will enter into an agreement with the Systra consortium which was qualified in financial bidding by January 15. “Negotiations are on with the Systraconsortium for reducing the amount that was quoted in the financial bid. The process will be completed and we will enter into an agreement with the company,” an official of AMRC said.

The French-based Systra is the lead firm in the consortium. Germany-based Gopal Infra Ltd and India-based RITES are the associate partners. The French consulting and engineering group has its presence over 80 countries in the field of public transport.

“As Systra company has vast experience in conducting public transport projects in several countries for some decades, we can obtain a quality DPR for Vijayawada Light Metro Project. Besides, the German based KFW Group, which has come forward to fund the light metro project, will extend financial assistance to the DPR preparation. The preparation of DPR may take 4-5 months,” he said.

Meanwhile, the AMRC is also working on selecting a contract agency for the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail Project by February. “We are preparing to invite technical and financial bids for the project,” the AMRC official said. Around 15 companies came into touch with the AMRC during a pre-bid meeting in Visakhapatnam in October.