KATHMANDU, JUNE 20--The government has extended the deadline for submitting bid documents for the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track project by three more months. This is the third extension of the deadline after shortlisted Indian firms sought more time for preparatory study on the project.
Three Indian firms — Reliance Infrastructure, Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) and Larsen and Turbo (L&T) Infrastructure Development Projects — are in the race for the contract of the 76-km highway. As per the new timeline, the firms will have to submit the technical and financial proposals completing all required study within September 21. The existing deadline is expiring on June 21.
The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport said IL&FS and L&T had sought until September 30 to review traffic study. “We offered the additional time as the Indian firms sought more time citing the need to study traffic and impact after the government permitted private sector to build the Kathmandu-Hetauda Tunnel Highway,” said Tulasi Prasad Situala, secretary at the Physical Infrastructure Ministry.
Last month, the government had given its go ahead to Nepal Purbadhar Bikas Company (NPBC) to construct the 58-km tunnel highway under the build, operate, own and transfer BOOT model. Physical Infrastructure Ministry officials said the Indian firms were “bit skeptical” over the Fast Track project saying the tunnel highway reduces the traffic volume on Fast Track.
The proposed Fast Track road links Kathmandu with Nijgadh of Bara where the government has been planning to the Second International Airport. The highway is estimated to cost over Rs 80 billion and traffic volume plays a vital role in determining whether the project is profitable.
As part of bid submission, the firms are required to provide detailed descriptions about the approximate construction cost, average annual maintenance and operation cost, likely construction period and traffic and revenues forecast and feasibility.
“Since it is a mega project, it is normal to take time for a careful study,” Ananta Acharya, project manager of the Fast Track Project. He said of the three firms, only IL&FS and L&T are still interested in the project as Relaince has gone been of contact for a long.
Last December, the government had issued requests for proposal (RFP) with a four-month time limit until April 21 to submit financial and technical proposals to build the Fast Track highway under BOOT model. The RFP requires the bidding firms to carry out a detailed survey, investigation and detailed examination by visiting the site before submitting their bids. for third time
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