VARANASI: IIT (BHU) published a street lighting tender on Friday, November 6, for its Mining and Metallurgical Engineering departments, with an estimated project cost of Rs 11,99,979. The schedule includes 24 poles and 48 light fittings for the campus in Varanasi. Contractors have until 4 pm IST on November 20 to upload bids, according to the institute's tender listing and document.

The work concerns the two departmental areas inside the IIT (BHU) campus. Its scope covers supply, installation, testing and commissioning, including foundations, cables and earthing. For students, staff and other campus users, the notice establishes a proposed lighting project. It does not announce that the lights are operational or give a public opening date.

Eligible local contractors should check tender reference IIT(BHU)/IWD/ET-48/2026-27/795 and prepare the required qualification documents before pricing the work. The institute asks bidders to monitor its website and the Central Public Procurement Portal for amendments. The submission deadline is clear, but different sections give different opening dates, an issue applicants should resolve through the institute's published tender clarification channel before relying on a particular opening schedule.

What the campus work includes

The official tender document specifies 24 reinforced concrete foundations and 24 galvanised poles, each five metres high. Its bill of quantities separately lists 25 double arm brackets and 48 light fittings. These are the published quantities; the document should not be simplified into a claim that every listed bracket necessarily represents an additional pole.

The work also includes four earthing arrangements and 732 metres of earthing wire. Two cable items cover 735 metres and 85 metres respectively, while another item provides 15 metres of protective pipe. These supporting works are included in the estimate alongside the poles and fittings. The project is therefore a complete installation package rather than a purchase of replacement lamps alone.

Two time switches are included for switching the street lights on and off around sunset and sunrise, with a manual override facility. The contract also requires testing to the engineer in charge's satisfaction. The estimate is a guide for procurement, not a confirmed payment to a selected contractor, and the document does not identify an awarded bidder.

  • Publication: November 6, 2026, at 4 pm IST.
  • Bid upload deadline: November 20, 2026, at 4 pm IST.
  • Estimated work value: Rs 11,99,979.
  • Earnest money deposit: Rs 24,000.
  • Work period: 180 days from the applicable contractual start.

What residents and bidders should do

Campus users should distinguish the bid deadline from the construction period. The contract allows 180 days from the start defined in its schedule or the first handing over of the site, whichever is later. November 20 is the submission deadline, so counting 180 days from that date would give an unsupported completion promise. No campus traffic diversion or temporary access closure is announced in this tender.

Contractors can cross-check the reference on the institute's official tender page. The tender uses two covers, one for qualification material and the other for the financial bid. Its critical data sheet records no tender processing fee and an earnest money deposit payable in favour of the Registrar, IIT(BHU), Varanasi. Applicants should follow the document's specific deposit and original submission instructions alongside the online upload requirements.

The qualification conditions require evidence of similar completed electrical works. Applicants must show three works worth at least Rs 4.80 lakh each, two worth at least Rs 7.20 lakh each, or one worth at least Rs 9.59 lakh, within the stated seven year period ending March 31, 2026. The document defines similar work through electrical installation, wiring, cabling and related power point work.

Other conditions include an average annual construction turnover of Rs 6 lakh over the preceding three financial years ending March 31, 2026, and a bank solvency certificate for Rs 4.80 lakh issued within the previous six months. Joint ventures are excluded. These are eligibility conditions for this competition, rather than an invitation for residents to submit applications for employment.

Opening dates need clarification

The cover and critical data sheet give November 23 at 4 pm IST as the bid opening date. A later instruction refers to opening submitted documents on November 21 at 4 pm. Because both appear in the same document, bidders should check for a clarification or amendment instead of treating this report as resolving the difference. The institute lists office.iwd@iitbhu.ac.in for communication about the works process.

The contract requires the contractor to repair damage caused during execution and remove resulting debris without an additional charge. It also sets warranty obligations for the fittings. Related campus reporting includes the institute's financial approval rules, bank quotation deadline and postgraduate grievance panel.