Tender reopened for Panipat railway overbridge, construction to begin soon

The Haryana State Roads and Bridge Development Corporation (HSRDC) has re-invited the Rs 46.40 crore tender for the construction of a railway overbridge (ROB) connecting NH-44 with Panipat’s Old Industrial Area, after the initial bidders failed to meet the required conditions. The tender will be reopened on April 7.

According to sources, HSRDC first invited the tender in December last year, attracting applications from five private contractor agencies. However, four agencies failed to meet the Indian Railways’ conditions, while the fifth agency met the criteria but was ineligible for tender allocation as at least two agencies are required to qualify.

Further delays occurred due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the municipal elections, preventing the tender from being reissued. With the conclusion of the MCC, the department has now reopened the tendering process.

Panipat City MLA Pramod Vij stated that construction would commence after the tender allotment, with the project set to be completed within 24 months. He emphasised that the new ROB would significantly ease traffic congestion at Assandh Road flyover and the Red Light Chowk on NH-44, benefiting thousands of commuters.

“The ROB will provide direct access to the Mini Secretariat and Court Complex, eliminating the need for people to detour via Red Light Chowk on NH-44, thus reducing travel time,” MLA Vij added.

Ravinder Kadyan, SDO, HSRDC, provided technical details, stating that the 950-meter-long ROB has an estimated total cost of Rs 56 crore. The bridge will have a total width of 8.5 meter, including a 7.5-meter-wide main carriageway.

Reiterating the reasons for the tender reissuance, SDO Kadyan explained that although one contractor met the eligibility criteria in the initial round, at least two companies are required for the tender to be awarded. The fresh tender has now been re-invited and will be opened on April 7.