Four companies shortlisted for Kozhikode road project.

The executive committee of the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) has given its nod for the pre-qualification bids of four companies for the Kozhikode City Road Improvement Project (KCRIP).

A meeting of the KRFB recently gave approval to the four companies for submitting the tenders for construction of six roads in the city.

The companies are Mumbai-based Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS), a subsidiary of Transportation Networks Limited; Agra-based PNC Infratech Limited; Ahmednagar-based Rohan Rajdeep Tollways Limited, and Vadakara-based Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society.

Previously the KRFB had invited the Request for Quotation (RFQ) and it had entrusted a consultancy firm to evaluate these bids. The firm looked into various aspects such the background of the company on physical achievements, financial capability, funding capacity, and technical team.

All these companies were eligible for submitting the tenders for the project. They have been given the tender documents of the KRFB, V.K. Ebrahim Kunju, Minister for Public Works, said. He said that the companies would have to submit tenders within two months. The contract would be awarded to the company which quoted the lowest bid.

Mr. Kunju said that the contract would be given to the company which would also be responsible for carrying out the maintenance work of the roads for 15 years.

The KRFB has given an administrative sanction of Rs. 254.32 crore for the first phase of the KCRIP. The Finance Department had approved the funds for the construction in February. But the tendering process got deferred owing to the model code of conduct during the Parliament elections.

There will be drains on both sides of the road, facilities giving priority for road safety, streetlights, signals at important junctions and high mast lights.

P.N. Sasikumar, a retired engineer with the PWD, has been appointed as the project manager.



THE HINDU