Bengaluru: BBMP Finds Sole Bidder For Long-Delayed Ejipura Flyover On Fourth Attempt, Cost Escalation Raises Concerns

Following three unsuccessful endeavours, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has ultimately secured a bidder for the long-delayed Ejipura flyover project on its fourth attempt.

However, the cost escalation has become a concern for the civic agency, as the project is now estimated to cost Rs 252 crore, reports Bangalore Mirror.

BBMP floated the fourth tender to complete the Ejipura flyover in March this year.

In the fourth tender process, the participation was limited to just one company. The BBMP's initial estimate for the project's cost was Rs 204 crore. However, the sole bidding company proposed an additional 25 per cent increase in the cost.

In the absence of any other bidders, officials engaged in negotiations with the contractor, ultimately reaching an agreement to commence the project with an additional cost of 19.5 per cent — reduced from the proposed 25 per cent.

The report has been officially submitted to the tender evaluation committee — led by the BBMP chief commissioner, for their approval.

Upon receiving approval, the report will be forwarded to the Urban Development Department to make the final decision.

The proposed flyover spans 2.5 km in Koramangala’s 100-Feet Main Road — from the junction of Ejipura Main Road-Outer Ring Road to Kendriya Sadan Junction.

Series Of Tender Cancellations

The construction of this elevated road flyover remains incomplete even after six years. 

The four-lane flyover was initiated in 2014, with the primary objective of providing a signal-free movement and reduce congestion on the busy road passing through Koramangala. 

In 2017, the contract for the project was awarded to Simplex Infrastructures, with a 30-month completion period. Accordingly, December 2019 was fixed as the deadline to complete this project.

However, only 32 per cent of the work was completed till 2022. This also resulted in widespread protests by the residents.

In February 2022, the Karnataka High Court instructed the civic body to file charges against Simplex Infrastructures Limited for the delay in constructing the flyover and misusing funds.

As a result, the BBMP cancelled the tender awarded to Simplex Infrastructures, due to the non-completion of the work.

Subsequently, BBMP invited tenders twice — once in August 2022 and in January 2023, respectively, which however, were cancelled due to reasons of improper cost estimates and lack of eligible bidders.