Karnataka HC Halts BMRCL’s Rs 650 Million Ad Tender

12 Nov 2025 CW Team

The interim order, passed by Justice Suraj Govindaraj on 30 October, came in response to a petition filed by the Indian Outdoor Advertising Association (IOAA). The stay halts implementation of the tender issued on 17 September 2025 for advertising rights on Metro piers and portals.

The court observed that the scoring system in the tender appeared one-sided and discriminatory, particularly disadvantaging smaller firms. Notices have been issued to BMRCL, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). The next hearing is scheduled for 13 November 2025.

Under Table 12 of the tender document, 50 out of 100 marks were allocated to three subjective criteria — experience in Metro projects, proposed design and methodology, and presentation of work plan (PPT). The court remarked that such parameters granted excessive discretion in evaluation and could lead to partiality.

It further noted that bidders with prior Metro experience could easily surpass the minimum qualifying score of 70 required to open financial bids, effectively excluding smaller firms represented by the IOAA. The Bench directed BMRCL to review the grievances raised by the petitioner association, which represents numerous outdoor advertisers across Karnataka.

Following regulatory changes by the Greater Bengaluru Authority, BMRCL obtained exclusive rights to lease advertising space across its Metro corridors. The tender included outdoor ad rights for over 4,000 Metro pillars and station surroundings along three major corridors.

Currently, outdoor advertising in Bengaluru is limited to bus shelters and skywalks, making the Metro-pillar ad space highly sought-after. While BMRCL estimated Rs 650 million in revenue from the tender, industry experts suggest the actual potential could be nearly three times higher for the winning bidder.

The High Court’s order has effectively paused the tender process until further directions. The upcoming hearing will determine whether BMRCL must revise the evaluation criteria or reissue the tender to ensure fair participation.

In a setback for the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), the Karnataka High Court has issued an interim stay on the corporation’s outdoor advertising tender, estimated to generate around Rs 650 million in revenue, citing possible bias and unfair treatment towards smaller advertising firms. The interim order, passed by Justice Suraj Govindaraj on 30 October, came in response to a petition filed by the Indian Outdoor Advertising Association (IOAA). The stay halts implementation of the tender issued on 17 September 2025 for advertising rights on Metro piers and portals. The court observed that the scoring system in the tender appeared one-sided and discriminatory, particularly disadvantaging smaller firms. Notices have been issued to BMRCL, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). The next hearing is scheduled for 13 November 2025. Under Table 12 of the tender document, 50 out of 100 marks were allocated to three subjective criteria — experience in Metro projects, proposed design and methodology, and presentation of work plan (PPT). The court remarked that such parameters granted excessive discretion in evaluation and could lead to partiality. It further noted that bidders with prior Metro experience could easily surpass the minimum qualifying score of 70 required to open financial bids, effectively excluding smaller firms represented by the IOAA. The Bench directed BMRCL to review the grievances raised by the petitioner association, which represents numerous outdoor advertisers across Karnataka. Following regulatory changes by the Greater Bengaluru Authority, BMRCL obtained exclusive rights to lease advertising space across its Metro corridors. The tender included outdoor ad rights for over 4,000 Metro pillars and station surroundings along three major corridors. Currently, outdoor advertising in Bengaluru is limited to bus shelters and skywalks, making the Metro-pillar ad space highly sought-after. While BMRCL estimated Rs 650 million in revenue from the tender, industry experts suggest the actual potential could be nearly three times higher for the winning bidder. The High Court’s order has effectively paused the tender process until further directions. The upcoming hearing will determine whether BMRCL must revise the evaluation criteria or reissue the tender to ensure fair participation.

Infrastructure Transport

05 Feb 2026

MMRDA Installs 325-Tonne Steel Spans on Mumbai Metro Line 4

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has achieved a key construction milestone on Metro Line 4 with the successful installation of three large steel spans at Bhandup West during overnight operations.The spans, together weighing 325 metric tonnes, were launched using eight heavy-duty cranes and 12 multi-axle vehicles. The operation required precise engineering and meticulous planning to minimise disruption in the densely populated suburban area.Due to effective inter-agency coordination, the work—originally scheduled across four nights—was completed within just two n..

Infrastructure Transport

05 Feb 2026

CMRL Targets March 2027 Opening for Vadapalani–Panagal Park

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is progressing as scheduled to open the Vadapalani–Panagal Park section of Phase II’s Corridor 4 by March 2027. The 3.5 km underground stretch is part of the 26.1 km Corridor 4 connecting Lighthouse with Poonamallee Bypass.Construction activities are advancing steadily, with tunnelling works between Vadapalani and Panagal Park already completed. Track-laying operations are expected to commence shortly. At Panagal Park station, structural works have reached the concourse and platform levels, while excavation continues at the lowest level.CMRL is also consid..

Infrastructure Transport

05 Feb 2026

Maha-Metro Invites Pune Metro Civil Maintenance Bids

Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) has invited bids for the annual civil maintenance contract of the Pune Metro Rail Project. The tender, bearing ID and number P1-O&M-20/2025, is scheduled to close on 23 February 2026, with a pre-bid meeting slated for 10 February 2026. The earnest money deposit (EMD) for the contract is Rs 3,50,500, and the duration of the contract is one year.The scope of work includes annual civil maintenance of 28 elevated and underground stations, 28.079 km of elevated viaduct including steel bridges, 12.15 km of tunnels, and two depots under the ..