Rel Energy leads bid for metro line between IGI and Rly Stn

NEW DELHI: Anil Ambani-promoted Reliance Energy is understood to have emerged as the highest bidder for an estimated Rs 4,000-crore project for laying a metro line connecting the national capital's international airport and the New Delhi railway station.

A formal announcement is expected to be made in a day or two, sources close to the development said.

Reliance Energy spokesperson could not be contacted for comments.

When contacted, a Delhi Metro official declined to confirm the development.

"We cannot confirm this and we do not comment while the bidding process is on," the spokesperson said, adding that the tendering process was going on and 'we do not know when it will be completed'.

Other bidders in the race are believed to be Larsen & Toubro and a consortium led by GE.

The IGI-Railway station project for the 22-km metro line with 3-4 stations will be the second one if the company manages to pull it off.

Reliance Energy had won a Rs 2,354-crore project in Mumbai for a 11.4 km long elevated track from Versova (Western Mumbai) to Ghatkopar (Eastern Mumbai) with 12 stations.

The company has already started work on the project, which is expected to be competed by 2010. All the 12 stations will be located at a distance of 1 km from one another and will have elevated platform at an average height of 12-13 metres.

Earlier, GMR Infrastructure, leading the Delhi International Airport Pvt Ltd (DIAL) venture, had said it would bear 10 per cent cost of metro line which will connect the airport with the rest of the city.