Mumbai Metro Phase Two bids in

Meet the seven contenders who have submitted their technical bids for Phase Two of the Mumbai Metro. (Pre-qualification bids happened in June-07)

Consortium 1: L&T, GE, CAF

Consortium 2: Pioneer Infratech, Mitsubishi, Tata Power

Consortium 3: GVK, YTL, Bombardier

Consortium 4: Reliance, Siemens, Gammon

Consortium 5: Essar, Alstom, Lanco

Consortium 6: IL&FS, IL&FS-TN, Punj Lloyd

Consortium 7: Reliance Energy, Reliance Comm, SNC Lavalin

Brief details about Phase Two of the Mumbai Metro
Route: Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd
Cost: Rs6,192crores
Length: 31.87km
No. of stations: 27
Expected passenger load: 1.275m by 2011

Now is also a good time to recall that Phase 1 (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar) is currently stuck over a 20acre plot in Versova which the MMRDA needs for a car-shed, but which, reportedly, the owner of the plot is reluctant to sell. Update - This is now resolved because with the repeal of the ULCRA, the litigation around the plot should come to an end, paving the way for the MMRDA to strike a deal with the owner. (Source)

Here's wishing the contenders all the best, especially the Ambani Bros. Let's hope they don't do an MTHL here.

Us Mumbaikars, we'll just wait for the traffic jam when the Prime Minister inaugurates Phase Two. Then, we'll just wait. And wait. If we could wait forty years for the Mumbai Metro (remember that the Metro was first mooted as far back as 1967-68), surely we can wait for forty more years.