The Central Railway through its Nagpur Division has invited e-tenders for a rooftop solar project aimed at expanding clean energy use across railway infrastructure. The tender has been issued on behalf of the President of India and focuses on installing an on-grid solar photovoltaic system with a total capacity of 1300 kWp. The project will cover service buildings and residential quarters located at Ajni and Wardha railway stations, marking a steady move toward sustainable energy adoption within Indian Railways.
The project will be implemented under a Public-Private Partnership model on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer basis. Under this arrangement, the selected bidder will develop and operate the solar system and supply electricity to the railways under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement for 25 years. This structure allows the railways to access clean power without upfront investment while ensuring long-term cost stability.
The bidding process will follow a two-packet system and is categorized as an open tender, allowing broad participation from eligible companies. According to the schedule, the tender was uploaded on April 11, 2026. A pre-bid meeting is planned for April 24, 2026, to address queries from interested bidders. The bidding process will officially begin on May 11, 2026, and will close on May 25, 2026. The project is expected to be completed within a period of 19 months from the date of award, and bids must remain valid for 120 days.
The tender outlines strict financial and technical requirements to ensure that only capable developers participate. Bidders are required to submit an Earnest Money Deposit of Rs. 26 lakh, which can be provided through an online payment system or a bank guarantee. The bid security must remain valid for 90 days beyond the bid validity period. In addition, applicants must have executed contracts in the last three financial years amounting to at least 150 percent of the estimated project cost.
From a technical standpoint, bidders must have prior experience in commissioning at least one grid-connected solar PV project with a minimum capacity equivalent to 35 percent of the proposed project. This ensures that participants have relevant expertise in handling similar installations.
The cost of the tender document has been set at Rs. 30,000. All bids must be submitted online through the official Indian Railways e-procurement portal, and manual submissions will not be accepted. Joint ventures are allowed with a maximum of 13 members, while consortium bidding is not permitted.
The tender includes several important documents such as the request for qualification, request for proposal, model power purchase agreement, and project-specific conditions. Bidders are expected to review these carefully before submission. The project also aligns with the government’s Make in India policy, requiring participants to declare the percentage of locally sourced materials used in execution.
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