The UPMRC elevators and escalators tender covers a Rs. 109.59 crore package to provide heavy-duty elevators and escalators for the Lucknow, Kanpur and Agra Metro networks.

Kanpur Metro train at a station
Archive photo of a Kanpur Metro train at a station. Photo: Dr Vinamra / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0; cropped by EUPBR

The tender, issued as Tender No. LKE(02)-02⁠, includes the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of Machine Room Less elevators and heavy-duty escalators. The equipment is intended for designated metro stations across the three Uttar Pradesh systems.

UPMRC elevators and escalators tender scope

The contract is structured as a full delivery and maintenance package. The selected bidder will be responsible for engineering, equipment production, site installation, testing, commissioning and performance validation. The scope also includes maintenance during a two-year Defect Liability Period, followed by one year of Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract support after the DLP period.

The estimated cost of the work is Rs. 109.59 crore. UPMRC has set the bid security at Rs. 2.19 crore, while the completion period is 182 weeks. The pre-bid meeting was listed for 02.06.2026.

Under the stated scope, the contractor will carry out the design and engineering of heavy-duty MRL elevators, along with the manufacture and supply of both elevators and escalators. The work also covers installation and commissioning at the relevant stations, as well as testing of the systems and confirmation of their performance.

The procurement is linked to passenger movement and accessibility across the Lucknow, Kanpur and Agra Metro networks. The project is expected to improve convenience for passengers, access for senior citizens and differently-abled commuters, and mobility within metro stations.

Taj Mahal metro station in Agra
Illustrative photo of Taj Mahal metro station in Agra. Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0

Eligibility rules for bidders

UPMRC has opened the tender to eligible proprietorship firms, partnership firms, companies, corporations, joint ventures and consortiums that meet the requirements specified in the Notice Inviting Tender. For a joint venture or consortium, all partners will be jointly and severally responsible for contract execution and must nominate an authorised representative.

Foreign bidders may participate only through a joint venture or consortium with an Indian partner. In such cases, the Indian entity must hold at least 74% participation, while the foreign partner’s share is limited to 26%.

Each bidder may submit only one bid, either independently or as a member of a joint venture or consortium. Multiple submissions will lead to disqualification. Bidders are also required to avoid conflicts of interest and must not be banned by UPMRC or by any other government-owned metro organisation.

The tender conditions also require bidders and joint venture partners to show a satisfactory record in similar lift and escalator works. They must not have faced major contract terminations, penalties or liquidated damages during the evaluation period specified in the tender. In addition, the bidder must not have gone through bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings during the previous five years.

Pending litigation is covered by the eligibility rules as well. For a bidder or any member of a joint venture, such litigation must not exceed 50% of its net worth. A joint venture or consortium may have no more than two partners, and each partner must hold a minimum 26% stake.

UPMRC will carry out periodic performance reviews of joint venture or consortium members during the contract period. The corporation has reserved the right to take corrective measures, including replacement or termination of a defaulting partner. The tender conditions also state that misrepresentation, concealment of facts or submission of false information will result in disqualification and further action under the contract terms.

Lucknow, Kanpur and Agra Metro networks

The package will serve three metro systems in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow Metro⁠ has been operational since September 2017 and covers 22.878 km. At the time of its launch, it was recognised as the fastest-constructed metro project in India.

Kanpur Metro consists of two corridors with a combined length of 32.4 km. The system began operations on its priority corridor in just over two years and became the first metro system in Uttar Pradesh to introduce the National Common Mobility Card.

Agra Metro began service on its priority section in March 2024. The network is being developed with two corridors covering 29.4 km, adding a modern mass transit system for the historic city.

Through this Rs. 109.59 crore contract, UPMRC aims to strengthen vertical mobility and passenger access at metro stations in Lucknow, Kanpur and Agra. The package combines equipment delivery, commissioning and maintenance obligations for elevator and escalator systems across the three networks.