VIJAYAWADA: In another step towards realising the Metro Railway project in the city, the Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC) on Monday called for tenders to take up the works and fixed January 19, 2017 as the final date for filing the tenders.
However, the officials say that there is every possibility of extending the deadline further.
The works will be undertaken in two routes, in a length of 26 km. While the first route from Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS) to Nidamanur will be 13.5 km length, the second one from PNBS to Penamalur will be 12.5 km. The decision came after two funding agencies from Germany and France came forward to extend financial support to AMRC.
When contacted, AMRC Managing Director N Ramakrishna Reddy told Express that notification has been issued calling for submission of tenders by Jan 19. Once the tender formalities are completed, the works will be taken up without any delay.
Though the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) went back from investing in the AMRC, the officials are now holding negotiations with the representatives of KFW from Germany and AFD from France.
The representatives of both the funding agencies visited the city recently and assured to extending funding assistance to AMRC, in principle. They are also engaged in exploring all ways for commencing the works at the earliest, he added.
It may be mentioned here that the State government already released `300 crore for land acquisition process for the AMRC.