New Delhi: India may soon award a complete signalling and telecommunication (S&T) system contract for its proposed bullet train project to vendors offering European technology following successful completion of technical assessment of bids received for the contract.A joint venture of Germany's Siemens and Ahmedabad-based Dineshchandra R. Agrawal (DRA) Infracon Pvt Ltd emerged as the lowest bidder for the contract by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL). "Technical assessments are complete," an official told ET. The official said the lowest bid was at ₹4,100 crore. "The winning bid is significantly lower than initial estimates," a second official said. The second lowest, and only other bid received for the tender, was more than threefold higher at ₹12,600 crore, placed by a partnership of France's Alstom, and India's Larsen & Toubro (L&T). "Opting for indigenisation has led to this substantial cost saving," another official said.While the Railway Board was earlier relying solely on Japanese technology for bullet trains, India may now opt for a tailored mix with more domestic partners. Avenues to bring more European technology are also open.In parallel, talks with Japanese companies are continuing on the supply of Shinkansen trainsets. India is expected to get E3 and E5 variant Shinkansen trainsets to ascertain their feasibility, and identify any modifications needed in the under-development E10 trainsets.Besides Japanese firms, the government has tasked Integral Coach Factory (ICF) with developing a bullet train capable of reaching speeds of up to 280 kmph. The railway production unit has partnered with defence public sector enterprise - BEML to produce these trains.ICF has priced these trains at ₹866.87 crore, with each coach costing ₹27.86 crore. The total contract value includes design costs, one-time development costs, non-recurring charges, and one-time costs for jigs, fixtures, tooling, and testing facilities.
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