Ravi zone development: American-Pakistani team could get consultancy

The final decision is expected next week.

LAHORE:

A joint venture between an American company and two Pakistani companies is likely to win consultancy for the River Ravi Development Zone Project, The Express Tribune has learnt.

As many as 19 companies had submitted expressions of interest to the Urban Unit on August 25 and seven were shortlisted.

Out of these, four submitted technical and financial bids. NESPAK’s proposal was not considered on account of lacking international associates.

The three qualifying companies included Korean Yooshin Engineering Corporation, Singapore’s MeinHardt Group and American company International Waterfront Consultants (IWC) in a joint venture with G3 International Consultants (Pvt) Ltd and Consultants Group (CG).

IWC is likely to win the contract by being the lowest bidder, officials close to the evaluation of bids said.

Lahore Commissioner Rashid Mehmood Langrial told The Express Tribune, “Financial bids for the project have been opened and the lowest bidder has been identified.”



He said a final decision was expected to be announced by next week.

LDA’s Metropolitan Planning Director Khalid Lodhi confirmed that the IWC was the lowest bidder and could be notified as winner after the financial bids had been thoroughly analysed. He said the winning company would be given 10 months to submit their pre-feasibility, feasibility and detailed reports.

River Ravi Development Zone Project is estimated to cost $7 billion. LDA, in its meeting in July 2013, concluded that it was not financially capable of developing such a project.

The authority sought a feasibility study by reputed international and local firms so that funding could be attracted to meet the expense of the project.

The project includes high-quality residential, commercial, institutional, cultural and recreational zones along both banks of River Ravi on a stretch of 33 kilometres.

G3 International Consultants Engineering Director Saifullah Ejaz said according to the estimates of partner companies, the project would cost around $14 billion.

He said his company was the only bidding firm having with an international partner with relevant experience in water development projects. He said the company was planning a high-tech settlement in between Lahore and Shiekhupura. He said this would be the first ‘smart’ city in the country.

He said given the magnitude of the project, the company would recommend various financial models, including build-operate transfer and build-lease transfer and partnerships with more international firms.

He said thousands of people would benefit from the project.

He said this would not only be an up scale housing society but also have high-tech industrial zones, education zones, medical zones with underground wiring and metro facilities. He said a water treatment plant would be designed to clean sewerage water.

He said the mini-city would also be environment friendly.   

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2014.