K-RIDE calls out L&T for violating agreement

Bengaluru: Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprises (K-RIDE) has strongly criticised Larsen & Turbo (L&T) for “unilaterally and illegally” terminating its contracts for Corridor 2 (Chikkabanavara to Benniganhalli) and Corridor 4 (Heelalige to Rajankunte) of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP), calling the move a “clear violation” of the agreement.

As both the contracts are valid till September and October 2026, “These contracts do not provide any authority to terminate the contract by L&T. Termination of these two contracts by L&T, received on 31.07.2025, is a clear violation of Agreement Conditions and is not expected from L&T,” stated a release issued by K-RIDE on Saturday.

K-RIDE has alleged that L&T has made unreasonable demands, such as revising contract prices and converting the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract into an itemised Bill of Quantities(BOQ) contract, both of which are not permitted under the agreement between the two entities.

K-RIDE clarified that all reasonable demands made by L&T had been addressed, despite which L&T went ahead with the termination.

According to the statement, L&T has already been given access to 84% of the work front in Corridor 2 and 17 km of Corridor 4, but development has been slow and unsatisfactory. K-RIDE has pinned the delays on poor mobilisation, slow design finalisation, and frequent changes in project managers.