Purple Line Draws Mega-firms

[george]

Purple line draws mega-firms

BANGKOK: -- Altogether 27 construction companies bought tender documents for the Bt36-billion Purple Line project by yesterday's deadline, including Germany's Siemens, China's Hong Run Construction Group, South Korea's GS Engineering and Italy's CMC Cooperative Musatory.

A panel will be formed to screen the bidders for meeting qualification criteria and proposing the best construction techniques and quotes, said a source from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, the developer of the suburban rail project.

"You'd better closely watch who's going to sit on the committee, whether they have close connections with any political groups," he said.

Transport Minister Santi Prompat said the strong interest should ensure fair bidding.

Aside from nearly all big local contractors, picking up the bidding package during the April 21-May 2 period were Japanese companies Obayashi, Tokyu, Nishimitsu and Kajima, as well as Italy's Rizzani De Eccher.

The 23-kilometre route will be funded by a loan facility from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

--The Nation 2008-05-03