MAHSR Bullet Train’s C2 Tunnel Contract Goes To Afcons Infrastructure

The Awaited C2 Package of MAHSR (Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor) Goes to Afcons Infrastructure. The C2 Package of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train is said to be the most critical and difficult package due to the challenges it has. Below is a detail of Package C2 and the winner of the C2 Package.

Package Name – C2 (Underground tunnel between Bandra Kurla Complex Station to Shilphata, Thane)

Package Length – 20.377 km

Project Owner – NHSRCL (National National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd)

Project Requirements – The Company that works on this project will need to use 3 TBM (Tunnel boring machine) and 3 NATM machines. The Entire stretch of this package will be Underground.

Project Bidders – L&T and Afcons.

Project Cost – Rs. 6,371cr (L&T Was the 2nd bidder for Rs.6,584.16 cr)

Project Deadline – 5.17 years (1888 days)

Diameter of Tunnel – This will be not a twin tunnel but a single tunnel with a 13.1 m Diameter.

7 Km out of 20.377 km of this package will be under the sea, under the iconic Thane Creek. And the reason it will be challenging for the company that works for this. Last September (2022), the NHRCL re-invited bids for Package C2 after all land acquisition was done for the package.

Challenges with the C2 Package of Bullet Train

Let’s take the help of the map, with that you will get a better understanding of why this package is super difficult and will take 5 years or more to complete.

package c2

As you can see in the above Image, the geographical challenges with this package can’t be described in words. And the reason is NHSRCL has clearly mentioned in the Tender that The awarded firm will have to use 3 TBMs and 3 NATM machines to dig the entire 21 km stretch of the C2 Package.

When the Work will start on the Ground?

The Work will start on the ground in Sep-October 2023. And The Real Tunnel dig will start in 2025 as many soil tests and bases will be made to take the TBM below the ground.

Why did L&T Cound’t win this bid?

Firstly, L&T was high in a bid with Rs.6,584.16 cr while the Original bid of Afcon was Rs. 7,009 crores but they offered an upfront Flat 9.11% discount.

How Many civil contracts are left in MAHSR?

Only Package C3 is left to award. The last date to submit a bid for Package C3 for MAHSR is 11th April 2023. Soon, we will have 100% civil contracts awarded for Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor.

Current Project Running with Afcons?

Currently, Afcons is working at Delhi – Meerut RRTS, Kolkata Metro, Delhi Metro Silver Line, Agra Metro, Kanpur Metro, Mumbai Metro Line 5, and many more. Most of the past awarded projects to Afcons are on TBM or tunnel digging work. So, probably they are best for C2 Package with vast experience in tunnel digging.

Check the past packages and Tenders awarded in Mumbai – Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project. For more infra updates, keep visiting 15August.in.

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