KTM Metro railway plan gets hiccups

The metro rail project has failed to attract bids for its feasibility study from short-listed companies in the time originally stipulated. None of the six firms short-listed to conduct a feasibility study for setting up a metro rail system in the Valley has submitted a proposal within the July 10 deadline.

Chung Suk Engineering Company Limited, Korea; MMM group, Canada and MAA, Taiwan (a joint venture of the two companies); RITES Ltd, India; Scott Wilson, India; Systra SA France and Team Consulting Engineering and Management Company Ltd, Thailand have been short-listed for the purpose.

This cold response from the firms has compelled the government to extend the deadline to July 18.

“This is not an outright failure of the railway project. The matter of fact is that the deadline was revised by consulting with the six companies,” said Ram Kumar Lamsal, chief of the Department of Railways. “There are some shortcomings in the government approach, though. But the companies themselves demanded an extension of the proposal submission deadline.”

Officials privy to the development say the companies are interested in the feasibility study but are willing to submit their proposals only after some concerns are addressed by the government. Three weeks ago, representatives of the six firms held discussions with officials of the railway project and the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works.

“I don’t think the companies are disinterested in a feasibility study. But some technical details have left the process in a limbo, at least for a while,” said Lamsal. “They need to come here from abroad, bring along technical experts for ground assessment and make site visits. This may have required them more time.”

The metro dream, which sold like hot cakes initially, has faced hiccups already. As a dampener, there were delays in setting up the Department of Railways, by upgrading the railway project.

“The government must show dedication to projects that are vital for the country’s development. We have urged the Ministry of Finance to allocate funds in the upcoming budget for railway projects across the nation,” added Lamsal.