APMRC Allows JVs in Bidding for Metro Projects

26 Sep 2025 CW Team

The Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (APMRC) has announced that joint ventures (JVs) will now be eligible to participate in the bidding process for the upcoming metro rail projects in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, a move aimed at boosting wider participation from qualified infrastructure players.

APMRC Managing Director NP Ramakrishna Reddy said the decision would enable broader participation from competent firms with proven expertise in large-scale infrastructure projects. He emphasised that the corporation remains committed to completing both metro projects within 36 months.

International Competitive Bidding (ICB) tenders for Visakhapatnam Metro Phase I (46.23 km) and Vijayawada Metro Phase I (38 km) were floated in late July 2025. During a pre-bid meeting, 13 companies requested that the projects be split into two or more packages and that joint ventures be permitted to compete.

While APMRC declined the proposal to split the projects, citing risks of cost escalation and delays, it accepted the request to allow JVs in line with procurement guidelines from the Government of India and the Central Vigilance Commission.

The deadline for submission of tenders has been set for 10 October 2025 for the Visakhapatnam project and 14 October 2025 for the Vijayawada project. The revised bidding rules are expected to attract robust consortiums with the technical know-how and financial capacity to deliver the projects on schedule.

Meanwhile, the state government has reiterated its call for 100 per cent central funding for both metro corridors, underscoring their importance to Andhra Pradesh’s urban mobility and infrastructure growth.

News source: Swarajya

Infrastructure Urban

03 Apr 2026

Centre Disburses Over Rs 24,610 mn in XV Finance Commission Grants

The Union Government has released XV Finance Commission tied grants during the financial year 2025–26 to rural local bodies in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Sikkim and has released withheld portions of tied and untied grants to Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Tripura. The total disbursal exceeded Rs 24,610 mn, with figures expressed in million (mn) thereafter. The releases cover allocations pertaining to different financial years and aim to strengthen rural local governance. State-wise disbursements included Rs 3,324.6 mn for Punjab, Rs 9,432.7 mn for Madhya Pradesh, Rs 3,47..

Centre Releases Over Rs 15 bn as XV FC Grants to Rural Bodies

The Union Government has released over Rs 15 bn in grants recommended by the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in six states. The funds comprise tied and untied grants disbursed in FY 2025–26. Telangana received Rs 2.48 bn as the first instalment of untied grants for FY 2025–26, benefitting 12600 Gram Panchayats (GPs). Uttarakhand received Rs 913.1 mn as the second instalment and an additional Rs 18.4 mn of a withheld first instalment was released to a further 216 GPs. Mizoram is included among beneficiary st..

Government Assures Fuel Supplies And Seafarer Safety Amid West Asia Developments

The Government of India has stepped up coordinated measures to maintain stability in critical sectors as developments in West Asia continue to unfold. It has prioritised uninterrupted energy supplies, safeguarded maritime operations and extended consular assistance to nationals. Central authorities are working with State and Union territory administrations to ensure timely information dissemination and operational continuity. Refineries are reported to be operating at high capacity with adequate inventories of petrol and diesel, and domestic LPG production has been increased to support consump..