No light at the end of proposed Ramniwas Bagh tunnel project

The proposed tunnel connecting Ramniwas Bagh to Jorawar Singh Gate has hit the rock in the conceptual stage. 

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) which was handed over the task by Rajasthan Urban Development Department is facing difficulty in finding a consultant firm to draft a  detailed project report of the tunnel.

The highway authority intends to hold the feasibility study of the project along with a Good For Construction (GFC) design. The interested firm if thus find the project unfeasible, it will still have to propose a design that is suitable to initiate construction of the tunnel. The GFC design clause was also challenged by interested firm as such designs arrive at the implementation stage. The NHAI though had denied to change the design criteria.

As per proposal, the tunnel is supposed to be 4-5 kilometre in length and will help reduce the traffic congestion issues. The process for feasibility study and preparation of the detailed project report is itself expected to take nearly 10 months. It will be only afterwards that the cost and duration for its construction will be estimated. The project is also a component of Smart City and a got a mention in CM’s budget speech, however, as of now even finding a consultant firm is proving to be a difficult task.

Provisions such as priority to those who drafted detailed project report for tunnel projects of metro and railways, have even put many of those to have successfully implemented similar projects for NHAI on discount. 

Meanwhile, some international agencies have also been demotivated by the short bid duration. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) though denied to entertain the request for extension of bid date by a private firm, the deadline further stands extended in absence of qualified applicants.

Initially, the bid was supposed to be opened till January 24, however, now the bid submission date has been changed twice and stands extended to February 27.

BIDDING DATE EXTENDED

• Meanwhile, some international agencies have also been demotivated by the short bid duration.
   
• The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) though denied to entertain the request for extension of bid date by a private firm, the deadline further stands extended in absence of qualified applicants. 
   
• Initially, the bid was supposed to be opened till January 24, however, now the bid submission date has been changed twice and stands extended to February 27.