Finally, Procurement Shifts from L1!

26 Nov 2021 CW Team

Prime Minister Modi has retreated and withdrawn the proposed farm laws. A step back for progressive reforms for the farm sector, but a step forward for democracy. Meanwhile, critical reforms are underway, although silently, that can have a cascading impact on our national assets on which we have proposed to spend ₹ 110 trillion over the next five years under the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP).

Public procurement policy norms have been tweaked to allow for quality-oriented procurement. The guidelines issued by the Department of Expenditure’s Public Procurement Division have now allowed the selection of bidders for works and non-consultancy services through alternative procurement methods like quality-cum-cost-based selection (QCBS) thereby fulfilling a long felt need for the industry for which FIRST Construction Council and Construction World have raised concerns. In times of early infrastructure development during UPA 1 and UPA 2, the L1 method has driven several private companies to make ridiculous bids endangering their sustainability. In the L1 system, a bidder is selected only on the basis of the lowest cost. But now things are set for a change.

Click here to read more

Infrastructure Transport

07 Aug 2026

Government Plans Rs 450 bn Rail Investment Along Borders

The government plans to invest Rs 450 bn to upgrade railways along borders with China, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the press release said. The programme will run over 18 to 24 months and will finance new tracks, platforms and network strengthening across Punjab, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam and several northeastern states. That is about $4.7 bn. Officials indicated the initiative represents nearly 22 per cent of all railway infrastructure outlay planned over the next two years and is among the most significant strategic infrastructure pushes in recent years. The plan extends be..

Indian Railways Approves Daily Express Between Mumbai CSMT And Sawantwadi Road

Indian Railways has approved a new daily express service between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai, and Sawantwadi Road to boost rail connectivity across Maharashtra and the Konkan region. The service will operate over a 510-km route and will run daily as Train No. 15087 CSMT–Sawantwadi Road Express and Train No. 15088 Sawantwadi Road–CSMT Express. It is intended to provide direct and reliable rail connectivity for passengers travelling for tourism, education, employment and business. The Ministry of Railways said the move forms part of ongoing efforts to expand passenger..

SECR Invites Rs 4550.2 mn EPC Tender For Chhattisgarh Line

South East Central Railway (SECR) has invited bids for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract worth Rs 4550.2 mn for a section of the Dallirajhara-Rowghat-Jagdalpur New Railway Line in Chhattisgarh. The contract covers a nearly 30 km stretch between Kurkanar and Bhanpuri and forms part of the larger corridor linking the mineral-rich Bastar region with the state rail network. The authority has positioned the package as a key link to improve passenger and freight movement within the region. Tender documents carry tender number CAO-C-BSP-26-27-14 and an earnest money deposit ..