THE National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) of India has invited bids to carry out pre-construction activities for the proposed 306km Chennai - Bengaluru high-speed line.

The announcement is a key step forward in the development of India's second major high-speed rail project after the Mumbai - Ahmedabad line, which is under construction. The project was identified as a priority in India’s national budget announcement earlier this year.

The tender covers surveys, engineering studies and design updates, specifically:

  • updating the Detailed Project Report (DPR)
  • alignment modifications and alignment design
  • hydrology surveys
  • drone and aerial surveys
  • geotechnical investigations
  • preparation of general arrangement drawings (GADs) for river, railway and road crossings, and
  • design work for tunnels and both elevated and underground stations.

According to NHSRCL, the selected contractor will complete the work within 150 days.

The line

The proposed line runs from Baiyappanahalli to Bengaluru with six intermediate stations at Kodihalli, Whitefield, Kolar, Chittoor, Parandoor and Poonamalle. The section within Bengaluru includes a 14.32km tunnel, between Baiyappanahalli and Kodihalli, with both stations in the city built underground.

Another 11.8km tunnel will be constructed in the Kaundinya wildlife sanctuary along with a 1.73km tunnel in Chennai with the city’s station is also located underground. 277.88km of the line will be elevated or run at grade.

Alignment alterations are required on the 25km section from Baiyappanahalli to Electronics City and the 35km stretch originally proposed to connect Vellore/Katpadi.

The deadline to submit bids is August 13. To qualify, bidders must have completed or substantially completed at least one contract in the past seven years involving final alignment design, aerial lidar surveys and data processing for a minimum 100km high-speed rail project or feasibility/DPR study in India, executed as the main contractor for NHSRCL, either individually or as part of a joint venture or consortium.

For detailed data on Indian high-speed projects, subscribe to IRJ Pro.