Cabinet green lights call for proposals for Light Rail lines

By Chathuri Dissanayake

Cabinet this week approved a proposal by the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development to issue request for proposals (RFP) for three Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines from six Chinese companies. 

The companies – China Harbour Engineering Corporation, China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group Corporation, China Railway Group, China State Construction Engineering Cooperation, CITIC Construction Corporation, and China Railway Construction Corporation – were evaluated and recommended by the Procurement Committee (PC) as prequalified and approved by the Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee (CANC). 

The Cabinet also approved Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka’s proposal to employ a national or international consultancy firm to assist the Government in evaluation and negotiations in relation to investor proposals of the WRLRT project(owner’s consultancy service) as prescribed in the Procurement Guidelines, as the competencies needed in technical, financial, legal and economic aspects relating to the project are not available in the country. 

Further, the National Agency of Private Public Participation (NAPPP) at the Treasury Ministry is to provide finances and all other assistance for the consultancy service.

The Minister highlighted that obtaining competent consultancy services is vital, as Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Social Impact Assessments (SIA), along with the preparation of a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) have to be performed simultaneously. The projected services are in the range of Rs.  800 million spread over a four to six year period, the Minister told the Cabinet.