Bid process coordinator PFC Consulting Ltd (PFCCL) has annulled the bidding process for the Joda-Barbil intrastate transmission system (InSTS) scheme in Odisha. This is for the second time that bidding for this scheme has been annulled.
Housed under project SPV “Joda Barbil Transmission Ltd,” this scheme assumes significance from the fact that this is Odisha’s first attempt at deploying the TBCB framework in developing its intrastate grid.
Speaking to T&D India, a senior official of Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL) confirmed that the bidding process has been annulled but declined to divulge further details.
Back in December 2022, OPTCL appointed PFCCL as the bid process coordinator for selecting a developer for the Joda Barbil intrastate scheme under the TBCB framework. The overall project involves construction of a 400/220/132kV grid substation with associated transmission lines at Joda/Barbil and LILO of the existing 400kV double-circuit Kaniha-Bisra line at the proposed 400kV Joda substation. The project is officially referred to as “Construction of 400/220/132kV grid substation at Joda/Barbil with associated transmission lines.”
Project history
Bidding for the project was initiated in July/August 2023 but saw the bid-submission date extended at least 15 times. This is partially explained by the fact that the technical parameters of the project were significantly revised during the bidding process. For instance, the location of the new substation at Joda/Barbil was changed and so was the substation type – from AIS to GIS.
Finally, in December 2024, three bidders – Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) and Techno Electric & Engineering Company Ltd (Techno) were qualified for opening of initial price bids.
In March 2025, PFCCL re-initiated bidding for the scheme, declaring the previous round as annulled.
This round bidding also saw at least four extensions in bid submission date, the latest being June 12, 2025. However, on June 11, 2025, PFCCL declared the bid selection process as annulled without assigning any official reason.
Featured photograph is for representation only
