NEW DELHI: Russia’s largest train manufacturer CJSC Transmashholding (TMH) in partnership with railway PSU Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), has emerged the lowest bidder (L1) for manufacturing of 200 next generation Vande Bharat trains.
The over Rs 40,000 crore tender also includes maintenance of these trains for 35 years.
In this keenly-watched tender the TMH-RVNL consortium has quoted Rs 120 crore for making each 16-coach Vande Bharat train, with sleeper facility, much below the anticipated price of Rs 130 crore. The joint venture of BHEL-Titagarh have the second lowest bid (L2) of Rs 139. 8 crore per train.
As per the tender condition, the L1 will manufacture and maintain 120 trains and the second highest bidder will manufacture the remaining 80 trains. However, the L2 has to match the price quoted by L1 to get the orders.
Sources said in case of sanctions against Russian entities because of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the second highest bidder would get the order for manufacturing of trains after matching the price quoted by L1.
“Five entities and JV have put their financial bids. The bids are being evaluated and we have not yet awarded the contract,” said an official.