Cabinet toots for feasibility studies on five LRT lines

Thursday, 20 October 2016 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Govt. to allocate Rs. 300 m to Megapolis Ministry to call for EOIs and pick company

Cabinet yesterday approved feasibility studies for five Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines not funded by the Japanese Government so they can be tendered for investment from private parties.

Under the Megapolis project the Government has indentified seven LRT routes to be implemented in phases till 2030. The feasibility studies of the fourth line covering Borella, Battaramulla and Malabe (10 km) and the first line covering Fort, Colpetty, Bambalapitiya, Borella, Union Place and Maradana, with the exclusion of Colpetty, will be conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“Therefore as a prerequisite to invite the private sector to invest in the balance part of the project, it is suggested to conduct a detailed feasibility study on the five LRT lines which are not indentified under JICA, utilising local funds to ascertain the technology, cost and priority lines,” the Cabinet paper submitted by Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka said.

The estimated cost for the detailed feasibility study will be in the region of Rs. 250-300 million and it is recommended to employ a competent consultancy firm to conduction the study on an open, competitive basis by the Cabinet paper.

Cabinet approval was given for the Ministry to call for Expressions of Interest (EOIs), which would be vetted by guidelines from a Treasury-approved Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee (CPCC). Once the companies are shortlisted the Ministry can call for proposals from them. Procurement costs will be footed by the Government.