Bengaluru has cancelled the tender process for nine elevated road and flyover projects estimated to cost ₹3,060.57 crore after a government-appointed subcommittee found alleged violations of eligibility conditions, national highway rules and Karnataka Works Rules. The subcommittee has directed Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE) to invite fresh tenders.
The nine projects form part of a larger plan to build 11 elevated corridors and flyovers across the city to ease traffic congestion. The Karnataka Cabinet approved an administrative expenditure of ₹13,262.70 crore for the 75.60-km network on April 16, 2026. B-SMILE invited tenders for nine projects in June and had reportedly shortlisted bidders, with only the issue of letters of acceptance remaining.
The tender process was reviewed after a subcommittee was constituted by the state government on September 16. The panel is headed by Greater Bengaluru Authority Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao and includes Finance Department Secretary (Expenditure) Abhiram G. Shankar, GBA Special Commissioner for Finance K. Nithesh and Public Works Department Secretary K. Rajesh. It was instructed to submit its report within five days.
According to GBA sources cited in the report, a key tender condition required bidders to have completed at least 50% of their flyover work in urban areas. The sources alleged that B-SMILE officials were proceeding to award contracts to bidders who did not meet this requirement. The subcommittee also found that rural projects, railway overbridges and underpasses had been considered as qualifying experience for work that would involve the specialised equipment and expertise required in dense urban areas.
The projects whose tenders have been cancelled include a 5.2-km elevated corridor from Sirsi Circle through Mysuru Road to Nayandahalli, estimated at ₹538.28 crore; a 2-km grade separator from West of Chord Road through Pipeline Road to the Outer Ring Road near Mahalakshmi Layout, estimated at ₹327.46 crore; and a 7-km elevated corridor from Sangolli Rayanna Circle through Anand Rao Circle to K.R. Circle, estimated at ₹557.23 crore.
Other cancelled works include a 0.5-km flyover at MEI Junction costing ₹40.50 crore, a flyover at the Adyar Ananda Bhavan-Raghuvanahalli Cross on Kanakapura Road costing ₹42.10 crore, a 5.2-km corridor from the Old Madras Road side to the Electronic City flyover through Indiranagar, Old Airport Road, Hosur Road and Silk Board Junction estimated at ₹1,852 crore, and a 1.5-km flyover on Doddaballapur Road towards Kogilu Circle estimated at ₹103 crore.
The remaining projects include a 5.3-km elevated corridor on Hosur Road from Shoolay Circle to St John’s Hospital Road through Anepalya and Adugodi junctions, estimated at ₹519 crore, and a 1.5-km flyover at Konanakunte Cross on Kanakapura Road, estimated at ₹81 crore.
The committee also flagged the cost of the West of Chord Road-Pipeline Road grade separator. The project was tendered at ₹327.46 crore, excluding GST, or about ₹161 crore per kilometre. The report said ramps would account for 25% of the two-kilometre structure, but the estimate for the remaining section was considered unusually high. A review of the estimate has also been recommended.
The report said the government is preparing to file a caveat on behalf of the GBA so that shortlisted contractors cannot obtain an immediate court order blocking the retendering process. Contractors quoted in the report welcomed the cancellation but alleged that experienced bidders had been excluded on minor grounds and urged the authorities to ensure transparency in the fresh tender process.
