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Selection process of consultant starts

By STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Nov 7 � The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has started the process for selection of consultant for feasibility study and preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for rail�based Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) in the city.

GMDA Chief Executive Officer Dr M Angamuthu said today that the global tender notice inviting Request for Proposal (RFP) for selection of consultant for the feasibility study and preparation of DPR was published on November 4.

"We will select the consultant within three months and the entire process of finishing the feasibility study and preparation of the DPR will be done within one year," Angamuthu said.

The feasibility report will "examine explicitly the competitive profile of the suggested system" in comparison to other mass transit modes taking into consideration future population, land use, employment and other factors.

Angamuthu said it would also indicate the cost effective solution in terms of both the transit system cost and the transit operation and maintenance cost of the system, along with alternative models for financing directly or indirectly such an initiative.

The non-fare revenue sources like advertisement, densification of corridor and transit-oriented development will be listed along with their implementation possibility.

Similarly, the DPR would bring out explicitly the details of the suggested system in the feasibility study.

Besides the metro connectivity, the DPR will also be planned for feeder services like buses and water ways, planning for pedestrian and cycling facilities, Angamuthu said.

The concept paper and terms of reference for rail based MRTS in Guwahati was approved by the Union Ministry of Urban Development in July, 2013.

The concept paper enumerated feasibility study for 196 km of track and preparation of DPR of 65 km under Phase I of the project covering a metropolitan area of 2,205 sq km to cater to a population of 24 lakh.

Three corridors -- Airport to Narengi, Paltan Bazar to Khanapara and Khanapara to Jalukbari -- would be covered in the first phase.

The total project cost for Phase I will be around Rs 14,000 crore. The State government has already announced that it would be spending of Rs 1,800 crore as the State's share towards the cost of the project.

The Assam government has designated GMDA as the nodal agency for preparation of the feasibility study and the DPR.

The MRTS will be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in the form of a company or corporation.

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