NHPC invites bids for planning and design of Sawalkote hydro project

NHPC Limited has launched an international tender for planning, design, and engineering work on the 1856 MW Sawalkote hydroelectric project in Jammu & Kashmir. The project is located near Sidhu village in Ramban district.

The tender covers core design work for an RCC (Roller Compacted Concrete) dam, underground caverns, tunnels, and associated infrastructure. It is valued at Rs 209.80 crore and is to be completed over 113 months.

This is part of the Lot-1 Package under NHPC’s phased implementation approach. The bid submission deadline is 10 September 2025 via the Central Public Procurement Portal. A pre-bid conference will be held on 20 August in hybrid mode.

Technical eligibility includes experience in designing RCC dams of at least 80 metres in height, caverns with a minimum 18 metre span, and hydroelectric projects above 500 MW. Bidders must also meet financial criteria, including an average consultancy turnover of Rs 24 crore over the last two financial years and a positive net worth.

Joint ventures are allowed, with the lead partner required to hold at least 50 per cent equity. The evaluation will follow a Quality cum Cost-Based System (QCBS), assigning 70 per cent weight to technical and 30 per cent to financial proposals.

The project was declared a “project of national importance” by the Indian government in June, granting NHPC greater execution flexibility.