The Lahore Transport Company has been establised. Indeed a good news but How long this company will work, this has to be seen
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Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
TOR For Lahore Mass Transit System Recenlty Floated
The Following TOR floated by the Punjab Government shows that the present government still considering the very important Lahore Mass Transit Project
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TERMS OF REFERENCE
FOR
THIRD-PARTY DUE DILIGENCE OF THE REFERENCE DESIGN OF GREEN LINE, OF LAHORE RAPID MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM (LRMTS)
1. BACKGROUND
Government of Punjab is planning to implement a mass transit system for Lahore, the second largest urban centre in Pakistan, with population over nine million. In Sept. 2005, the Government of the Punjab, Transport Department, commissioned MVA Asia, to undertake a feasibility study for developing a strategic network of Rapid Mass Transit System for the ‘metropolitan’ area of Lahore, identify and prioritise corridor and prepared a feasibility study of the first priority line named the Green Line. The feasibility study was completed in August 2006. The study recommended an integrated network of four lines, about 80km with 90 stations, and proposed that the Green Line (27 km with 22 stations) should be implemented as a top priority.
The Government of the Punjab, following the recommendations proceeded to prepare the reference design of the priority line, and commissioned SYSTRA SA of France prepare the Reference Design covering up to 30% level of detail and prepare tender documentation for the implementation of the Green Line.
The consultants were engaged to complete the Reference Design as per ToR attached as Annex A. The consultants completed their work in June 2008, and have submitted the Final Report on Study along with Reference Design (30% level) and Tender documents as per contract between Systra and Transport Department, Government of the Punjab.
2. OBJECTIVES OF PROPOSED SHORT-TERM CONSULTANCY TO FOR THIRD-PARTY DUE DILIGENCE OF LRMTS GREEN LINE REFERENCE DESIGN & REPORTS SUBMITTED BY SYSTRA.
The Government of Punjab, Transport Department now intends to hire services of well reputed international consultant(s) / experts for undertaking technical due diligence and vetting of the LRMTS Green Line ‘Reference Design’ work submitted by Consultants, Systra, through the proposed third-party evaluation (TPE) to ensure that the technical reports submitted, the design & tender documents prepared are in accordance with their ToR, contract.
3. SCOPE OF SERVICES:
a) The TPE Consultant(s) will undertake a general review of the planned LRMTS Project Reports, study project’s feasibility report and ascertain adequacy of the Green Line Reference Design work completed by the Consultants. The Third Party Evaluation Consultant shall also ensure that project’s analysis has ensured an optimal design and has conducted the work through sound value engineering approach, and the standards adopted are universal, and provide value for money. Further ensure that the design could be implemented as proposed in the ToR.
b) For the purpose, the TPE Consultants shall undertake an assessment of project’s standards, review the technical design criteria and ensure that financial / economic and environmental feasibilities have fully covered the study ToR requirements. Project forecasts and risks analysis, construction plans and constructional techniques proposed by the LRMTS GL Reference Design Consultants have evaluated to assure timely project implementation.
c) TPE Consultants shall examine completeness of the feasibility and reference design work ensuring that consultancy deliverables were competently achieved with respect to following specific consultancy outputs by the LRMTS Green Line Reference Design Consultants:-
I. Review of the Network planning and selection of the priority corridor for LRMTS GL implementation was adequately covered.
II. Review and update of travel demand and revenue generation forecast are adequately prepared.
III. Suitability of proposed constructional techniques of viaducts, tunnels, stations, systems, rolling stock and systems technology keeping in consideration are according to the GL requirements and are based on value engineering principles and cover the needs and affordability.
IV. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been adequately covered as per requirements of the ToR and the prevailing Environmental standards and laws.
V. Suggested regulatory regime for implementation and operation of LRMTS Green Line.
VI. Proposed options and scheduling for implementation of the project.
d) TPE Consultant(s) shall thoroughly review the Consultants reports on LRMTS Reference Design for ‘Green Line’ to ensure that the proposed design of the project is most appropriate and best suited to the city’s transportation requirements.
4. Time Duration:
Consultant would be required to complete the whole assignment within a period of six (6) weeks and produce a report documenting their findings.
5. QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
The expert(s) to be engaged should be qualified having vast international experience of planning, design and evaluation of Mass Transit System projects in metropolitan cities of the World, preferably in Asia.
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TERMS OF REFERENCE
FOR
THIRD-PARTY DUE DILIGENCE OF THE REFERENCE DESIGN OF GREEN LINE, OF LAHORE RAPID MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM (LRMTS)
1. BACKGROUND
Government of Punjab is planning to implement a mass transit system for Lahore, the second largest urban centre in Pakistan, with population over nine million. In Sept. 2005, the Government of the Punjab, Transport Department, commissioned MVA Asia, to undertake a feasibility study for developing a strategic network of Rapid Mass Transit System for the ‘metropolitan’ area of Lahore, identify and prioritise corridor and prepared a feasibility study of the first priority line named the Green Line. The feasibility study was completed in August 2006. The study recommended an integrated network of four lines, about 80km with 90 stations, and proposed that the Green Line (27 km with 22 stations) should be implemented as a top priority.
The Government of the Punjab, following the recommendations proceeded to prepare the reference design of the priority line, and commissioned SYSTRA SA of France prepare the Reference Design covering up to 30% level of detail and prepare tender documentation for the implementation of the Green Line.
The consultants were engaged to complete the Reference Design as per ToR attached as Annex A. The consultants completed their work in June 2008, and have submitted the Final Report on Study along with Reference Design (30% level) and Tender documents as per contract between Systra and Transport Department, Government of the Punjab.
2. OBJECTIVES OF PROPOSED SHORT-TERM CONSULTANCY TO FOR THIRD-PARTY DUE DILIGENCE OF LRMTS GREEN LINE REFERENCE DESIGN & REPORTS SUBMITTED BY SYSTRA.
The Government of Punjab, Transport Department now intends to hire services of well reputed international consultant(s) / experts for undertaking technical due diligence and vetting of the LRMTS Green Line ‘Reference Design’ work submitted by Consultants, Systra, through the proposed third-party evaluation (TPE) to ensure that the technical reports submitted, the design & tender documents prepared are in accordance with their ToR, contract.
3. SCOPE OF SERVICES:
a) The TPE Consultant(s) will undertake a general review of the planned LRMTS Project Reports, study project’s feasibility report and ascertain adequacy of the Green Line Reference Design work completed by the Consultants. The Third Party Evaluation Consultant shall also ensure that project’s analysis has ensured an optimal design and has conducted the work through sound value engineering approach, and the standards adopted are universal, and provide value for money. Further ensure that the design could be implemented as proposed in the ToR.
b) For the purpose, the TPE Consultants shall undertake an assessment of project’s standards, review the technical design criteria and ensure that financial / economic and environmental feasibilities have fully covered the study ToR requirements. Project forecasts and risks analysis, construction plans and constructional techniques proposed by the LRMTS GL Reference Design Consultants have evaluated to assure timely project implementation.
c) TPE Consultants shall examine completeness of the feasibility and reference design work ensuring that consultancy deliverables were competently achieved with respect to following specific consultancy outputs by the LRMTS Green Line Reference Design Consultants:-
I. Review of the Network planning and selection of the priority corridor for LRMTS GL implementation was adequately covered.
II. Review and update of travel demand and revenue generation forecast are adequately prepared.
III. Suitability of proposed constructional techniques of viaducts, tunnels, stations, systems, rolling stock and systems technology keeping in consideration are according to the GL requirements and are based on value engineering principles and cover the needs and affordability.
IV. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been adequately covered as per requirements of the ToR and the prevailing Environmental standards and laws.
V. Suggested regulatory regime for implementation and operation of LRMTS Green Line.
VI. Proposed options and scheduling for implementation of the project.
d) TPE Consultant(s) shall thoroughly review the Consultants reports on LRMTS Reference Design for ‘Green Line’ to ensure that the proposed design of the project is most appropriate and best suited to the city’s transportation requirements.
4. Time Duration:
Consultant would be required to complete the whole assignment within a period of six (6) weeks and produce a report documenting their findings.
5. QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
The expert(s) to be engaged should be qualified having vast international experience of planning, design and evaluation of Mass Transit System projects in metropolitan cities of the World, preferably in Asia.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Karachi Mass Transit Project shelved Due to Dispute Between Sindh Government and CDGK
What Could be more Tragic than this. Indeed ironic .................
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KARACHI (January 07 2009): The much publicised $600 million Karachi Mass Transit Project (KMTP) has finally been wrapped up. Reason: bickering over the control of the project between the Sindh provincial government and City District Government Karachi (CDGK).
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) which had undertaken to finance the project has cancelled the agreement it had earlier entered into with CDGK.Sources in the Sindh Planning and Development department told Business Recorder on Tuesday that earlier ADB had approved US $1.1billion for the project. But later it had been cut by US $350 million and revised it by US $600 million, owing to the official indifferences.
The hostile relationship amongst both governments has thwarted all efforts made for the project, they said. They further added the ADB officials had expressed grave concern over the issue during several meetings with the Sindh government, CDGK and other relevant officials and had also stopped process of funds.
Therefore, a team, comprising Nazar Hussain Mehar, Additional Chief Secretary, P&D department, Ghulam Ali Pasha, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance department, Malik Islam, Project Director, KMTP and other officials had visited ADB head office, Manila to convince ADB officials to restore all activity related to the project.
However, ADB is of the view that if the fund was released for the project, it would be pointless because the issue of controlling the project is still not decided, they added. To a question, they said the high-ups posted in Finance and P&D departments were reluctant to give complete control to the CDGK, saying the Sindh government should deal the project.Therefore, the notification to establish Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) was issued by the authority concerned, which later was withdrawn after strong reaction by the CDGK.
They further said the City Nazim Mustafa Kamal called President Asif Ali Zardari and expressed his concern over the establishment of the SMTA.He has also requested the president to intervene for resolving the matter, sources maintained. They said that ADB would reallocate these funds for the project of any other country and added that if both governments did not quarrel for taking control of the KMTP, ADB would not stop funds for the project.
They termed it as a huge loss for the country especially for the Karachiities, who are suffering due to inadequate public transport. Furthermore, they said that another reason for its annulment was that the government had not reviewed all the practical options of the project and had failed to convince ADB officials about the significance of the project for the commuters.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
MVA ASIA - The Consultants for Lahore Mass Transit System
I find some details about MVA ASIA and its future projects in Pakistan especially its contribuitions towards the Lahore Mass Transit Project. The most important thing it mentions, is that how the section of LRMTS has been redesign where it has a clash with the Elevated Expressway Project. MVA, therefore, also undertook a study of the road project to develop designs that could accomodate both road and MRT along the same corridor.
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Friday, January 2, 2009
Purchase of 75 Locomotives: Zardari's Intervention helps Chinese Firm win Rs Four Billion Contract
Thanks to President for his timely intervention to keep the Chineese Investor confidence......... These railway ministers, otherwise just for getting kik backs would have spoiled the relationship with our longlasting partner.
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LAHORE (January 02 2009): On the intervention of President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Railways has finally awarded contract worth rupees four billion to Chinese state-owned Donfang Electric Corporation (DEC) for the purchase of 75 locomotives, The Business Recorder has learnt.
The contract award ceremony was held in Islamabad in the presence of Federal Minister for Railways.The Pakistan Railways authorities and DEC officials signed the contract. Director of Procurement Nisar Mehmon and Member, Finance, Pakistan Railways, Jehangir Aziz signed the paper, and on the behalf of Chinese company Hoo Weidong, Vice-President of Donfang Electric Corporation (DEC) and Mli Depuo, General Manager Import and Export of Dillian Locomotives of China, signed on the contract documents.It may be mentioned here that the Chinese company had offered to provide 75 engines at the cost of 107 million dollars as against the US company's tender of 227 million dollars.
The cash starved Pakistan Railways had entered into several agreements with Chinese railway companies for its development and modernisation of its outdated system.In 2001, Pakistan Railways signed a 91.89 million-dollar contract with China National Machinery Import and Export Corp for the manufacture of 175 new high-speed passenger coaches. The project was funded by Exim Bank China on a supplier credit basis.Under an agreement, signed with China in 2003, Pakistan Railways purchased 69 locomotives of which 15 were delivered as completely built units, while the remaining 54 were built at Pakistan Railways' locomotive factory. The locomotives were purchased on suppliers' credit basis with funding provided by Exim Bank of China through the Dongfang Electric Corporation.However, the quality of Chinese engines has come under severe criticism. There are circles that claim that the Chinese railway engines are not up to the mark, therefore, Pakistan should not buy additional railway coaches and engines from China.
Nevertheless, a senior Railway official remarked that the coaches and locomotives, provided by China on credit, were being successfully used on Pakistan's mail and express trains from Rawalpindi-Lahore-Karachi, Lahore-Faisalabad and Rawalpindi-Quetta.He said: "Pakistan Railways is already facing an annual deficit of Rs 42 billion. Therefore, we have to keep in mind the price tag of each locomotive engine. A man, who could afford only a Suzuki car should not dream of a Mercedes or BMW car," he emphasised.He said the technical and the tender committee had not unduly favoured Dongfang in awarding the contract as it had fulfilled all required technical requirements and standards. Under another project, the Chinese companies are rehabilitating 450 passenger coaches at an estimated cost of Rs 2.14 billion.
The project also included the conversion of 40 coaches into air-conditioned cars and the conversion of 10 power vans.Furthermore, there was a provision of 100 new high-speed bogies, 30 of which were imported from China, while 70 were manufactured locally on a transfer-of-technology basis. It may also be mentioned that President Asif Ali Zardari has intervened to resolve the thorny issue of purchase of 75 locomotives by Pakistan Railways, and directed the government to decide the matter on merit.Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui met the President at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, and briefed him about pressures on the Pakistan Railways to cancel the 107 million-dollar deal with the Chinese state locomotive manufacturing company, Dongfang (DEC), for the purchase of 75 railway engines.It is pertinent to recall that Chinese firm was the lowest bidder in the international tender and the Pakistan Railways had accordingly awarded the contract to it in July.
The contract document has already been finalised, the Ministry of Law has vetted it and each has been stamped.Sources said the only reason for the delay in signing was the availability of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to grace the signing ceremony for which reason the Chinese extended the validity of their bid from October 31, 2008 to November 30, 2008. After the President's intervention and directives to the Railways Ministry, Dongfang has further extended the validity of its bid till December 31, 2008.Contract of 75 locomotives was awarded to Dongfang Electric Company (DEC) on July 31, 2008 subsequently Pakistan Railways confirmed this vide letter issued dated September 22, 2008.
The draft contract agreement was finalised on September 29, 2008 and forwarded to the Law Division, government of Pakistan for vetting the agreement.A high official in the Pakistan Railways told Business Recorder that it was admirable that as a responsible company, despite changing economical situation and other difficulties, the Chinese state-owned company was maintaining its prices of more than 14 months ago as a good gesture of co-operation towards Pakistan.
DEC Chief Executive officer Li Hong had also appreciated the role of Federal Minister for Railways Haji Gulam Ahmad Bilour in finalising the contract on merit. He said this decision would further strengthen the bilateral as well as business and friendly relation between Pakistan and China.
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