On 29.01.2009 the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL), a joint venture between the West Bengal government and the Union urban development ministry, published a pre-qualification notice for design and construction of tunnel by shield TBM and stations by cut/cover on the East West corridor of Kolkata metro rail project. The last date of submission of PQ documents was postponed from 30.03.2009 to 15.05.2009. Visit www.kmrc.in/admin/uploaded_tender/1233226654Final%20PQ%20document%20for%20Underground%20civil%20works.pdfOn 17.08.2009, KMRCL invited bids from the shortlisted/pre-qualified contractors for the design and construction of the underground section from the west end of Central station to end of underground alignment at Subhas Sarobar. The contract includes the 3 stations at Central, Sealdah and Phool Bagan and 4,500 m twin bored tunnels and cut/cover transition structure. Deadline 09.11.2009, later postponed to 09.12.2009. Estimated end of work: 31.03.2013. Code bid: KMRCL/CE/UG2/760/09. Visit www.kmrc.in/admin/uploaded_tender/1250577175Addendum%20No.1%20to%20Notice%20TBM%20UG2%20website%20180809.pdfOn 29.09.2009, KMRCL invited bids from the short listed/prequalified contractors for the design andconstruction of the underground section from the Howrah Maidan station to west end of Central station. The contract includes the three stations at Howrah Maidan, Howrah and Mahakaran and about 3,000 m twin bored tunnels. Deadline 28.12.2009, later postponed to 08.02.2010. Estimated end of work: 31.03.2014. Code bid: KMRCL/CE/UG1/ 903/09. Visit www.kmrc.in/admin/uploaded_tender/1254311924NIT%20for%20UG1%20290909%20&%20Covering%20letter%20LV%20PDF.pdfAt the end of February 2010, the KMRCL awarded to the JV of Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited (Lead Partner) & ITD Cementation India Ltd, selected among ten pre-qualified groups, the first underground section starting from Subhas Sarobar to Central Metro station of the Kolkata Metro Rail Project. Value of UG2 contract is EUR146.7 million.Despite slight delays, officials claim the elevated section of the East-West corridor will be operational by October, 2013 while the entire project, inclusive of the underground section, will be in service by December, 2014. Visit www.itd.co.th and http://itdcem.co.in/. 10/10.