RTR4DR50.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
The Mexican government has resumed its bidding process for a bullet train project, after the Chinese-led consortium's winning tender was nulled by the Latin American country because of controversies, Shanghai Daily reported.
On Nov. 24 last year, China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and several Mexican construction firms won the bid to build a 210-kilometer high-speed railway connecting Mexico City with industrial hub of Queretaro to the north.
The new bidding for the high-speed rail project linking Mexico City with the industrial hub Queretaro will be opened for 180 days, according to the Ministry of Communications and Transport (SCT)'s website.
The deadline for bidders is on July 14 and the winner will be announced on July 31.
The new term is requiring the winner to be in charge of the design and construction of the railway system, provide the high-speed trains, and continue maintenance and operation in the first five years.
The Mexican high-speed rail project extends 210 kilometers, designed with a maximum speed of 300 kilometers per hour. Upon completion, the rail will be able to transport 27,000 passengers per day, the document noted.
CRCC and Mexican partners won the $3.75 billion contract in November last year, but Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto revoked the deal over the concerns of transparency in the bidding process.
A Mexican firm that was part of the consortium allegedly built a house for the president's wife, resulting in the accusation of conflict of interest between the two parties.
The presidency has denied that the government contractor Grupo Higa had been given any favors or that Pena Nieto's decision was linked to the news report, Shanghai Daily published.
