Bids for Mumbai Metro-III line likely

State-run Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) will invite bids for the 32.5-km, Rs 23,136-crore Mumbai Metro Phase-III project between Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai and Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone at Andheri. MMRC, a joint venture between the State government and the Centre, is hopeful the construction on the proposed underground line will begin from April 2015 and it will be commissioned in 2020-2021. Further, MMRC will soon select the bidder for the detailed design and construction of underground stations and associated tunnels on the Mumbai Metro-III line. MMRC may float bids within a week. The project, whose foundation stone was laid in August, will be financed by the Maharashtra government, the Centre and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The Centre´s share in the form of equity and debt will be Rs 3,428 crore.