The Telangana government has modified key provisions governing the proposed 10-year contract for the comprehensive operation and maintenance of street lighting across the Core Urban Region (CURE), easing implementation timelines, revising bidder eligibility norms and introducing changes to the tender conditions.
The order revises an earlier decision under which the government had accorded administrative sanction of ₹1,341.60 crore, excluding taxes, for the operation and maintenance of 7,60,591 LED street lights along with Centralized Control and Monitoring System (CCMS) panels and associated infrastructure for a decade. The project aims to ensure uninterrupted street lighting, reduce downtime, improve lifecycle-based asset management, enable systematic replacement planning, strengthen accountability through performance-based monitoring and achieve long-term cost efficiency, says the order.
A committee constituted by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) reviewed the project modalities, scope of work and tender conditions after receiving representations from stakeholders, the GO said. Based on its recommendations and practical implementation requirements, the government approved a series of modifications for incorporation in the proposed Request for Proposal (RFP).
One of the major changes relates to the replacement schedule. While the earlier order required all existing LED street lights and CCMS boxes to be replaced within six months, the revised timeline retains the six-month deadline only for CCMS replacement, while allowing up to two years for replacement of LED street lights, citing implementation feasibility.
The eligibility criteria for bidders have also been revised. Instead of requiring execution of LED street lighting, CCMS or maintenance works worth ₹30 crore in any one financial year during the previous 10 years, bidders must now demonstrate experience through either one ₹30-crore contract, two ₹20-crore contracts or three ₹15-crore contracts, each backed by at least two years of satisfactory operation and maintenance, executed within the last seven years. In addition, bidders must have completed installation of 7,000 CCMS units under a single contract during the same period.
The solvency requirement has also been altered. Instead of a fixed solvency certificate of ₹180 crore, bidders will now be required to furnish solvency equivalent to 10% of the estimated contract value, amounting to ₹134.16 crore.
The government has also expanded the concessionaire’s obligation to supply additional street lights. The earlier framework limited the supply of 15,000 additional lights annually up to five years, in line with a standing committee resolution. Under the revised order, the concessionaire must supply 15,000 additional lights every year at the quoted rates throughout the entire 10-year concession period.
Another significant modification allows Insurance Surety Bonds to be accepted as an additional instrument towards Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) and performance security, with the provision to be incorporated into the RFP.
The order also designates GHMC as the nodal agency for implementation of the project across the entire CURE region.
Published - July 14, 2026 09:10 pm IST