No bids for BBMP's tender to hire tanker

Halfway into summer, the BBMP is still struggling to supply water to parched areas as the corporation's second tender to hire water tankers failed to attract bids.

Over two weeks ago, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) first tender to hire tankers with Global Positioning System (GPS), a location tracking device, did not attract any response from the tanker owners.

The corporation then called the second tender in the hope that the owners would fall in line, only to get no response again.

"We opened the bids on Monday and found that no tanker owner has taken part," an official told DH on condition of anonymity.

He said the tanker owners were avoiding the tender due to the location tracking device clause, which is mandatory to ensure accountability.

"In the pre-bidding meeting, there was only one tanker owner. He also has chosen not to participate," the official said.

However, the Palike is unlikely to remove the clause.

"Tanker owners are demanding relaxation. However, if GPS is not mandatory, it will lead to irregularities. We have alerted the commissioner about the latest development. He will decide on further action," the official said.