Planning fixes must come before bidding, NCT tells transmission agencies
The National Committee on Transmission (NCT) has directed transmission planning and bidding agencies to thoroughly vet technical, operational and implementation issues before projects are approved and taken to bidding. The directive, issued at the NCT’s 42nd meeting on July 7, 2026, is aimed at addressing planning-related issues that have repeatedly surfaced after the bidding process has begun.
The committee said such issues can delay the transfer of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to successful bidders and, consequently, affect the implementation schedule of transmission projects.
Planning gaps
The directive follows observations by the Ministry of Power (MoP) on the reasons cited for delays in transmission projects. The ministry noted that several issues emerging during the bidding and implementation stages relate to fundamental aspects of project planning.
According to the MoP, these issues should ideally be identified and resolved before a project is placed before the NCT for approval and before the Request for Proposal (RfP) is issued.
When technical or implementation constraints emerge after bidding has commenced, subsequent changes can hold up the process, including the transfer of the project SPV to the selected bidder. The NCT noted that recurring delays of this nature ultimately affect timely development of transmission infrastructure.
Pre-bid checks
To address the issue, the NCT has asked Bid Process Coordinators (BPCs), including REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL) and PFC Consulting Limited (PFCCL), to undertake detailed surveys and identify any modifications required before projects progress further through the bidding process.
The Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL) has separately been directed to bring matters requiring modification or ratification before the NCT at the earliest stage.
The approach is intended to resolve technical, operational and implementation constraints during project planning rather than addressing them after bidding has started, reducing the risk of subsequent changes delaying project awards and execution.
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