IRCON has roped in Mott MacDonald to carry out pre-feasibility studies for a proposed high speed rail service in northern parts of India.

These high speed rail corridors are to be constructed between Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and Patna in Bihar. The project cost is estimated over Rs 1, 10,000 crore.

The consultancy firm will identify key issues for development of the project on a PPP basis, which will include reviewing all technical aspects of the project. Also, it will look at the corridor infrastructure development in relation to alignment with existing facilities as well as any environmental impacts and assessment of high speed rail technology. The contract also involves analysis of operational and business requirements including forecasting preliminary service ridership figures, estimating capital required costs and benefits analysis and implementation schedules. Mott MacDonald is expected to submit the report by December 2011.

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