Metro Train: LDA seeks proposals for construction

Civil Work begins near Dera Gujran

LAHORE: Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has invited bids from engineering and contracting companies for construction of a depot and a stabling yard under Package III and Package IV of the Orange Line Metro Train project, The Express Tribune has learnt.

For package I and II of the project, the contract for civil and allied works has been awarded to Habib Construction Service (HCS) and Maqbool Calsons JV.

Both engineering firms have started mobilisation of resources including machinery and manpower. HCS Chief Executive Shahid Saleem said the government would likely take 45 more days to complete land acquisition. Meanwhile, he said they would complete initial development work. He said they had received drawings for some portions of the route and started piling work near Dera Gujran.

Saleem said his firm was taking precautions to ensure that there was compromise on the timeline and quality of work.

Maqbool Colsons Director Chaudhry Amir Latif said they had set up a site office and started mobilisation of equipment and manpower.

The Orange Line Metro Train project is being funded with a concessional loan obtained from Chinese Eximbank under an Intergovernmental Framework Agreement. Only Pakistani and Chinese companies are eligible to work on the project under the framework. The 27km metro train will cost $1.65 billion. A consortium of Chinese firms in collaboration with the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA) and the LDA will complete the project.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2015.