Karnataka HC Rejects Yadgir Resident’s Bid To Cancel Bridge Work Order After Bridge Was Completed And In Use For Six Months

The petitioner, a resident of Yadgir, challenged the Public Works Department’s award of a contract to Respondent No. 3 for construction of a bridge and approach road in Yadgir Taluk.

He contended that the tender required prior completion of a similar work worth at least ₹333.19 lakhs and that Respondent No. 3 did not meet that requirement.

The State and the Department maintained that “similar works” included culverts, cross-drainage structures, approach roads, and related road works, and that the tender did not require prior experience limited to standalone bridges.

They also submitted that the bridge had been completed and had been in use for at least six months.

The petitioner sought quashing of the work order and a fresh tender.

The petition invoked the High Court’s jurisdiction under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution.

The tender criterion required the tenderer to have satisfactorily completed, as prime contractor, at least one similar work of a value not less than ₹333.19 lakhs within the preceding five years.

The State and the Department interpreted “similar works” broadly to include culvert and cross-drainage construction, approach-road formation, road construction, and allied works.

The Court considered the petitioner’s challenge alongside the respondents’ explanation that the tender did not confine qualifying experience to standalone bridge construction.

It also took account of the respondents’ submission that the bridge—the major component of the project—had been completed and was in use. On those submissions and the completed state of the work, the Court concluded that the requested relief could not be granted.

The judgment did not separately determine whether Respondent No. 3’s experience met the tender criterion.

The Court refused to quash the work order or direct a fresh tender.