Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MPMRCL) has announced Hindustan Construction Co. Ltd. – Tata Projects Ltd. (HCC – TPL Indore Metro JV) as the lowest bidder for Package IN-05R, the first and only underground section of Indore Metro Phase 1’s Yellow Line.Originally, MPMRCL invited bids for Package IN-05 in February 2024 but later cancelled the tender and reissued it as Package IN-05R, with an estimated cost of ₹2,550 crore and a four-year completion timeline. When technical bids were opened in November 2024, six firms had submitted their proposals. However, Afcons-Sam India JV and ITD Cementation India were disqualified due to non-compliance with the tender conditions.Following the evaluation of financial bids, HCC-TPL JV emerged as the lowest bidder, offering ₹2,190.91 crore, which is 14.08% lower than MPMRCL’s estimate. Other bidders included Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (₹2,268 crore), J Kumar Infraprojects Ltd. (₹2,690 crore), and Gulermak Agir Sanayi Insaat Ve Taahhut A.S. (₹2,832.06 crore).The 8.626 km underground section of Package IN-05R will connect a ramp east of Indore Railway Station to a ramp west of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, featuring twin tunnels and seven underground stations at Indore Railway Station, Rajwada, Chota Ganpati, Bada Ganpati, Ramchandra Nagar, BSF/Kalani Nagar, and the Airport. The project scope includes the design and construction of twin tunnels using Shield TBMs, cut-and-cover sections, cross-passages, ramps, architectural finishes, plumbing, and drainage installations.With HCC-TPL JV’s bid significantly below MPMRCL’s estimate, the contract is expected to be awarded in the coming weeks, accelerating progress on Indore’s metro expansion and reinforcing its role in enhancing urban mobility and connectivity.