The very first set of intrastate schemes in Karnataka, awarded under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route, have been granted transmission licence.
In recent orders, Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) granted transmission licence to two intrastate schemes – Mekhali and Hampapura – that were awarded under the TBCB mechanism.
Significantly, these represent the very first set of intrastate schemes in Karnataka awarded under the TBCB framework. While Mekhali was awarded to Dilip Buildcon Ltd, Hampapura was won by Resonia Ltd. The project SPVs of both the schemes were transferred to their respective winning developers on the same date – May 30, 2026.
Basic details
Project SPV: Mekhali Power Transmission Ltd
Developer (TSP): Dilip Buildcon Ltd
Scheme: Establishing 400kV substation at Mekhali along with associated transmission lines (Belagavi District)
Completion time: 24 months
State: Karnataka
Transmission charges (tariff): Rs.3,313.52 million
Project SPV: Hampapura Power Transmission Ltd
Developer (TSP): Resonia Ltd
Scheme: Establishing 400kV substation at Hampapura along with associated transmission lines (Mandya District)
Completion time: 24 months
State: Karnataka
Transmission charges (tariff): Rs.4,029.16 million
Validity
In both the cases, the transmission licence will be valid for a period of 25 years from the date of issue, unless revoked earlier, the respective KERC orders said.
Bidding process: From L4 to L1
It is interesting to note that in both Mekhali and Hampapura, the final winner was in fact placed L4, based on initial price bids. In the case of Mekhali, Dilip Buildcon with an initial price offer of Rs.4077.00 million eventually won the project with a final tariff quote of Rs.3313.52 million, at the end of the e-RA. This means that the winning developer lowered its bid by nearly 19 per cent in a keenly-contested e-RA that saw 23 rounds of bidding.
For Hampapura, Resonia also was L4 at the beginning of the e-RA routine. The company’s initial price offer of Rs.5421.00 million was lowered by a significant 26 per cent, to Rs.4029.16 million, yielding Resonia the win. The e-RA witnessed only nine rounds.
More schemes in Karnataka
Karnataka has so far (up to September 27, 2026) formally transferred three intrastate schemes under TBCB. Apart from Mekhali and Hampapura discussed in this story, Tata Power acquired Ryapte Power Transmission Ltd, on July 30, 2026. It is further learnt that Ryapte Power Transmission has already filed petitions with respect to grant of transmission licence and tariff adoption with KERC. ((Detailed history of Ryapte scheme)
Besides, Central PSU Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) is set to debut in the intrastate-TBCB space in Karnataka, having emerged L1 for a scheme currently housed under “Humnabad Transmission Ltd.” (Learn more)
In yet another scheme, Hebbani Power Transmission Ltd, bidders have been shortlisted for opening of initial price bids but the results are yet to be officially announced.
Featured photograph (source: Godrej Enterprise Group) is for representation only