HYDERABAD: Over the last few years, the Hyderabad Outer Ring Road (ORR) has developed a rather notorious reputation as an accident spot and has turned into a death trap for motorists due to rash and negligent driving. Keeping this in mind,
Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL) would be implementing the Highway Traffic Management System (HTMS) on the ORR, to ensure safety of motorists. The HTMS would be implemented in about three months time.
The HGCL, which invited tenders for the `210 crore project from national and international firms a few months ago, have received two bids -- from Efkon and Straubag (JV) and L&T company, respectively.
The HTMS, a part of intelligent transport system (ITS), is proposed to be developed for the ORR. HTMS is composed of sub-systems that include establishing of Emergency Communication Boxes (328), Automatic Vehicle Counter-cum-Classifier systems (74), and as many as 47 Variable Message Signs on ORR with 19 interchanges and a Main Traffic Control Centre at Nanakramguda Interchange and a Sub Traffic Control Center at Ghatkesar Interchange.
Four Meteorological Data System, Closed Circuit Television Cameras (41) and a fleet of ambulances will be arranged as part of the project. The project works also include supply, laying, installation and commissioning of fibre optic cable along the main carriageway on both sides of the ORR.
A committee appointed by the government will look into the technical bids submitted by the two agencies. If they qualify for the technical bids, then financial bids will be opened and whoever quotes less, will be short listed by the committee. The short listed bidder will then be forwarded to the State Government for issuing orders for allotment of work to the selected agency.
It would take atleast two to three months time for the entire process to be finalised, following which the successful bidder would be asked to start the works at the earliest.
The agency is required to complete the entire project within 18 months from the date of commencement, HMDA officials told Express. To ensure safety for the motorists on ORR, HMDA has proposed to establish the HTMS with a loan assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Phase-2 programme Operation and Maintenance of HTMS for five years.
The HGCL, a joint venture of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (INCAP), invited tenders on Public Private Partnership mode to execute the whole project by designing, supplying, installing and commissioning HTMS equipment few months ago.
The work also includes operation and maintenance of HTMS and related facilities for a period of five years from date of Operational Acceptance Certificate being taken up with HGCL funds. The system will be operational throughout the year at all times. Before commencing the HTMS project, a three month trial runs has to be conducted by the selected agency, they added.
IN DRIVER’S SEAT
HTMS project cost: Rs 210 crore
Implementing authority: HGCL
Bids received from: Efkon and Straubag JV, L&T
Time span for project launch: 3 months
HMDA to ask successful bidder to complete works in 18 months
Trial runs to be conducted by selected agency before the launch
Automatic vehicle counter-cum-classifier systems, variable message signs, meteorological data systems, CC TV cameras form part of the project