K-RIDE invites fresh tenders for Mallige Line civil works after L&T contract termination

The Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Ltd. (K-RIDE) has invited fresh tenders for the balance civil works of Corridor-2, also known as the Mallige Line, between Benniganahalli and Chikkabanavara.

The project has been split into three separate packages to expedite completion of the long-delayed Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP).

The decision comes in the wake of what was termed the ‘unilateral and illegal’ termination of contracts for both Corridor-2 (Mallige Line) and Corridor-4 (Kanaka Line) by Larsen and Toubro (L&T), which was the original contractor for the two corridors.

According to K-RIDE officials, the company has now re-invited tenders to complete the pending works of Corridor-2 after the termination by L&T.“The tenders issued outline specific design and construction scopes for each package,” an official said.

Three packages

Under Package 1, the tender covers the design and construction of an elevated viaduct, including ramps, for a 7.795-km stretch between Benniganahalli and Shettihalli. It also includes the design and construction of a double-decker viaduct with a flyover at Level 1 and BSRP tracks at Level 2, spanning 1.20 km between Lottegollahalli and Yeshwanthpur. This package includes the Mathikere station and the station at Benniganahalli, with a completion deadline of 24 months.

According to the officials, package 2 involves the design and construction of an at-grade section covering 11.569 km between Benniganahalli–Banaswadi and Banaswadi–Hebbal. It includes the station boxes at Nagavara and Kanakanagar, along with the construction of major and minor bridges, road under-bridges (RUBs), and retaining walls. This package has an 18-month completion target.

Meanwhile, Package 3 focuses on the at-grade section between Yeshwanthpur and Chikkabanavara, spanning 5.8 km. It includes an elevated viaduct section of 185 metres and has also been allotted an 18-month deadline.

Decision at board meeting

The decision to float fresh tenders was taken during a K-RIDE Board meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary of Karnataka in October. The Chief Secretary also serves as the Chairman of K-RIDE. The board has authorised the Managing Director to initiate the tender process to ensure that work on the suburban rail project continues without further delay.

The official said, “The decision follows the advice of the Advocate General of Karnataka, who recommended calling for new tenders even as arbitration proceedings between K-RIDE and L&T continue.”

The L&T originally signed contracts with the K-RIDE for Corridor-2 on August 26, 2022, and for Corridor-4 on December 30, 2023. The company was given extended completion deadlines until September 2026 and October 2026, respectively. However, disputes arose over project execution, leading to L&T’s unilateral withdrawal recently.