In what could be music to the ears of GE and EMD, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has set a target for calling bids for award of the Madhepura diesel locomotive project before the Railway Budget. The Railway Budget is expected in February-March 2013.
The two companies were shortlisted for setting up the railway locomotive factory through a joint venture with the Indian Railways. The project award has been pending for about four years now.
“The bids for the Madhepura Project will be called by December 31, 2012, and the project will be awarded before the Railway Budget. The inter-ministerial group (IMG) set up under the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs will consider and approve any necessary changes to documents,” said a release from the PMO.
Timelines for the Marhowra electric loco project — for which Bombardier, Siemens and GE are shortlisted bidders — would be announced by December 15, said the release.
The PMO has also asked Railway Ministry to set timelines and start the bidding process for the elevated rail corridor in Mumbai.