India's infrastructure landscape continues to expand with ambitious projects like the Kharagpur – Moregram Economic Corridor, an integral part of the nation's larger goal to enhance connectivity and boost regional development. The latest development comes from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which recently received bids for two key packages of this corridor. Packages 4 and 5, both under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), are set to bring much-needed upgrades to NH116A in West Bengal.
Package 4: A 47 km Stretch
- Estimated Cost: ₹1039.26 crore
- Scope: This package will involve the development of a 4-lane economic corridor from Guskara-Katwa Road to the Mayurakshi Bridge Approach (from Km 133.000 to Km 180.000). It will address bottlenecks along this crucial stretch of NH116A, improving traffic flow and reducing travel times.
Package 5: A 50.95 km Stretch
- Estimated Cost: ₹1226.91 crore
- Scope: Similar to Package 4, this 4-lane development extends from Before Mayurakshi Bridge Approach to Moregram (from Km 180.000 to Km 230.957). As part of the larger corridor, this segment is expected to significantly enhance logistics and transportation for the region.
Alignment
The Bidders
The call for bids has attracted the attention of some of the top infrastructure companies in India, a clear indication of the project’s importance. Here are the eight contenders vying for these projects:
- Ashoka Buildcon Ltd.
- Ceigall India Ltd.
- Dineshchandra R Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd.
- G R Infraprojects Ltd.
- KCC Buildcon Pvt. Ltd.
- NKC Projects Pvt. Ltd.
- PNC Infratech Ltd.
- R and C Infra Engineers Pvt. Ltd.
What Happens Next?
The bids have now been forwarded for technical evaluation, a process that typically takes about a month to complete. During this time, NHAI will scrutinize each company’s qualifications, past experience, and project capacity to ensure that only the most capable firms advance to the next stage.
Once the technical evaluation is complete, the financial bids of the qualified companies will be opened. This phase will reveal the lowest bidder for each package, who will most likely be awarded the contract to develop these critical segments of the Kharagpur – Moregram Economic Corridor.
Significance of the Project
For West Bengal, this corridor is particularly vital. It promises to boost trade and industry in the state, improve the transportation of goods, and facilitate better access to markets, all of which are key drivers for regional and national economic growth.
For more detials on Kharagpur – Moregram Economic Corridor click here.
Conclusion
With eight of India's top infrastructure companies competing for these prestigious contracts, the next month will be crucial in determining which firms will take on the task of transforming NH116A into a modern economic corridor. The outcome of this bidding process will have a significant impact not only on West Bengal's road infrastructure but also on India's broader goals for economic development.