A joint venture of Hindustan Construction and Tata Projects has secured the construction contract for the Indore Metro underground section in Madhya Pradesh, India.
Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (MPMRCL) has announced HCC – TPL Indore Metro JV as the lowest bidder for Package IN-05R, the first and only underground section of Indore Metro Phase 1’s Yellow Line.
The 8.626km underground corridor will link a ramp east of Indore Railway Station to a ramp west of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. It will feature twin tunnels and seven underground stations.
The stations include Indore Railway Station, Rajwada, Chota Ganpati, Bada Ganpati, Ramchandra Nagar, BSF/Kalani Nagar, and the airport.
The route is said to be the sole underground section in the 33.53km Indore Metro Phase 1 project.
On the east side, it will connect to Package IN-04, currently under construction by RVNL – URCC JV. On the west side, it will link to Package IN-03, under construction by URCC through a subcontract by RVNL.
MPMRCL invited bids for underground stations and tunnels with an estimated cost of around INR25bn ($287m) and a four-year completion deadline in February 2024.
When technical bids were opened in November 2024, six firms submitted proposals. However, Afcons-Sam India JV and ITD Cementation India were disqualified for non-compliance with tender conditions.
After evaluating the bidders, HCC – TPL Indore Metro JV won the contract with a bid of INR22bn ($253m), 14.08% below the estimated cost.
Other bidders included Larsen & Toubro, J Kumar Infraprojects, and Gulermak Agir Sanayi Insaat Ve Taahhut.
HCC is expected to receive the contract within weeks, without delays in evaluation.
The project will be funded by a $200m loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), pending board approval.
Groundwork is expected to begin in Q2 2025, with construction starting in Q3 2025. Tunnelling work will commence around Q3 2026.
Under the contract, HCC will use at least four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to build 16 tunnels for the underground section.
The completion of the project will support Indore’s metro expansion, advancing the city’s modern public transportation system.
