Global design and engineering firm SMEC is expanding its rail and metro portfolio in South Asia, having been appointed by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HRIDC) as general consultant for the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC) project in India. SMEC has also been engaged to provide a feasibility study, engineering design and procurement support for the Dhaka Metro Line-5 South project in Bangladesh.
“Our technical expertise and vast rail and metro experience will enable us to support and advise our client to successfully deliver these essential infrastructure projects,” said Dr Janardhan Sundaram, SMEC’s executive director Bangladesh.
“We have an in-depth understanding of the transport sectors and environments in these countries, with a majority of services being delivered from our locally based offices and teams.”
In consortium with RITES Limited, SMEC will provide general consultancy services to HRIDC over the project implementation, construction and operations and maintenance phases of the HORC project, which is funded by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. SMEC’s services include but are not limited to critical study of detailed project report, bid process management, project planning and management and construction supervision.
Once completed, the HORC will operate at a top speed of 160 km/h and provide connectivity through 20 stations, of which 14 are new stations and six are connecting to existing IR/DFC stations.
“We have access to a global network of connected specialists with decades of combined technical experience in delivering major transport projects,” said Andrew McKune, SMEC executive director India. “This enables us to apply robust technologies and methodologies for sustainable, resilient, and quality infrastructure.”
In Bangladesh, SMEC along with partners Egis and Oriental Consultants Group have been appointed to consult on the Dhaka Metro Line-5 South project by the Dhaka Metro Transit Company Ltd, under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. Funded by the Asian Development Bank, the project comprises 12.8 km of tunnels, 12 underground stations, 4.6 km of viaduct, four elevated stations, and a depot. SMEC and partners will consult on the feasibility study, engineering design and procurement support over a 36-month period.
These new appointments are in addition to rail and metro wins announced by SMEC in 2020, as well as other ongoing projects in South Asia, including the Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox Bazaar Rail Project, Padma Bridge Rail Link Project, Dohazari-Cox Bazaar Rail Link, Chennai Metro, Mumbai Metro, Dedicated Freight projects and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail.
Photos © SMEC
