Karnataka shortlists 8 firms for IMTS project

The Karnataka state government has shortlisted eight firms for the Rs 1,300 crore Integrated Mass Transport System (IMTS) project proposed on a public-private partnership (PPP) model at Majestic in Bangalore. The state will float the request for proposal (RFP) for the shortlisted firms including companies like Larsen and Toubro (L&T), Gammon India, Soma and Reliance. The project entails linking of all forms of transport—the BMTC, KSRTC, Metro and the Railways, besides creating parking space for over 3,000 cars near the railway station. The state would contribute land to the project and the selected company will have to invest capital for creating the infrastructure. Construction of the 45 storeyed integrated system at Majestic will begin by December. About 20 acres of land belonging to Karnataka State Transport Cor­p­oration (KSRTC) has been allotted to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) for its underground station.