The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has cancelled 161 tenders for implementation of various civic infrastructure projects in city zones.

According to sources, the tenders were reportedly cancelled because they were not called as per procedure for the limited tenders which had just 24 hours duration for opening of the tenders, restricting the time for bidders. Some tenders had a duration of two days.

“The tenders were not awarded because of the Model Code of Conduct. Many of the works were expected to be taken up under the councillors’ ward development fund,” said an official.

The tenders were floated to implement works, including bus shelters, in areas such as Royapuram and Anna Nagar. As the tenders have been cancelled, Chennai Corporation Councillors have demanded the civic body to expedite work, complaining about the inadequate time for implementing civic infrastructure projects before February 2027. The last council meeting for the present Chennai Corporation Council is expected to be held in February 2027, before which councillors want completion of civic infrastructure projects, including hospitals, classrooms, parks, and bus shelters.

“The limited tenders which were cancelled recently are of low value, mostly maintenance-related works. The reason for cancellation is that proper time was not offered to the bidders for submission of quotes and bids,” said an official.

GCC Commissioner had recently issued detailed guidelines regarding how Low value procurement should be dealt with. It is broadly based on the GO Ms 262 dated 5/12/25 by Finance (Procurement) Department.

In addition to cancellation of 161 tenders, the civic body has also cancelled tenders for footpaths. A senior official of the Chennai Corporation said: “We will implement it in a phased manner. In the first phase, we intend to construct the footpaths near schools to make the area safe for children. We will construct footpaths for 50% of the roads in the first phase to make school zones safer for children.”