Ahmedabad Station Redevelopment Project: Afcons Emerges Lowest Bidder Quoting Rs 5,355 Crore Against Estimated Cost Of Rs 3,000 Crore

Construction giant, Afcons Infrastructure Limited, has emerged as the lowest bidder for Ahmedabad station redevelopment project.

The construction company has quoted Rs 5,355 crore, as against the Indian Railways' estimated cost of Rs 3,000 crore.

After New Delhi station, the RLDA opened financial bids for Ahmedabad Railway station project on Monday (10 April) and found that all three bidders have quoted over Rs 5,000 crore, exceeding the estimated cost.

Afcons Infrastructure Limited, Larsen and Toubro (L&T) and Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) had submitted bids for the Rs 3,000 crore Ahmedabad station re-development project in March this year.

While Afcons quoted Rs 5,355 crore, NCC quoted Rs 5,694 crore and L&T quoted Rs 5,770 crore.

According to the Railways, there would be discussion with the lowest bidder to bring down the price quotation. Since a similar situation with escalated price bid has happened for New Delhi station also, a solution has to be found through discussion.

Now the tender committee would re-examine the pricing bids to take a final decision.

In September last year, the union cabinet sanctioned Rs 10,000 crore for the redevelopment of three major railway stations — New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and CSMT in Mumbai.

While Rs 5,000 crore was meant for the New Delhi station, Rs 1,800 crore was earmarked for CSMT and Rs 3,000 crore for the Ahmedabad station.

According to the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), a decision has to be taken this month so that the contract can be awarded in May this year.

The project envisages a new city centre at the station by integrating both sides of the city through an elevated road network and through multi-modal integration of bullet train, metro, BRT and the railway station.

The design of redeveloped Ahmedabad station has been inspired by the iconic Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat.

The station redevelopment programme is a flagship programme of the government of India. The re-development project will be carried out in the engineering, procurement, and construction mode.

RLDA, a statutory authority under the Ministry of Railways, has been entrusted with the task of redevelopment of many iconic stations.

The redeveloped station will be built as an iconic new architecture with distinctive towers towards Kalupur side — to become a new landmark for the city of Ahmedabad.

In order to decongest the roads near the station, a 13 km lane of elevated road network all-around has been planned.

A 15-acre roof plaza has been planned over the railway tracks which shall be the waiting area for the passengers — where all facilities like toilets, drinking water, retail kiosk, baby care rooms etc shall be available.

The roof plaza shall also integrate the railway station with the bullet train station, metro station, as well as BRT corridor, city buses and taxis.

No development is planned in restricted areas around the Brick Minar and Shaking Minarets, both of which are ASI-protected monuments within the station area.

An amphi-theatre, inspired by Adalaj stepwell, is planned, to provide welcoming open spaces for the local population as well as station users.

The station redevelopment projects are intrinsically linked to urban rejuvenation. The redevelopment of these stations will offer world-class amenities to passengers and enhance their travel experience.

The projects will also lead to a multiplier effect on the local economy to boost retail, real estate and tourism sectors and generate employment opportunities.