China’s railway company, China Railway Tunnel Group, has just won the tender for the construction of Prince Edward station by being the cheapest. According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) tender result website, the China company’s winning bid of S$310 million is some S$20 million cheaper than their nearest competitor, Korean company Ssangyong Engineering. All other 9 tenderers submitted a bid above S$348 million, with three submissions at around S$351 million.
LTA did not explain why China Railway Tunnel Group was chosen, and why is the winning bid S$20 million cheaper than it’s closest competitor.
Following increasing number of train disruptions in Singapore and a recent collapsed bridge where a tenderer contractor won through a significantly lower bid, many Singaporeans expressed concerns that the China railway company may compromise on quality and safety in their cheapest bid. Just two days ago, the North-South Line was flooded by rainwater after the pumping system failed.
Lowest winning bid project via cronyism cause construction collapse, killing one injuring ten
The four-kilometre Circle Line CC6 route comprising of three stations – Keppel, Cantonment and Prince Edward – will connect HarbourFront to Marina Bay.