Bhopal EV Charging Tender Under Lens Over Ad Space Expansion From 90 To 400 Sq Ft

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: Queries have emerged regarding the incorporation of commercial advertising rights in the tender for establishing 30 EV charging stations under a Public Private Partnership model in the city. The area covered for advertising has been altered from 90 sq ft to 400 sq ft, allegedly to favor a certain company.

A complaint has been lodged with the Madhya Pradesh Urban Administration Development and Housing Department (UADD) seeking a thorough investigation into Tender No. 327/BSCDCL/2026. Nitin Saxena, the complainant, objects to the expansion of advertising provisions through Corrigendum Nos. 06 and 07, arguing that the modification could potentially benefit a specific company.

Saxena emphasized that his objection is not against the EV charging infrastructure, but rather the way advertising rights were integrated into the tender. According to Corrigendum-06, the concessionaire can utilize up to 400 sq ft of advertising/display space at each charging station during the concession period. The bidder is also required to register separately as an Outdoor Media Device vendor with the Bhopal Municipal Corporation.

The tender pertains to 30 proposed locations, with the possibility of additional sites depending on feasibility and demand. An independent market valuation of the advertising rights and its impact on financial competition is being sought in the complaint. Further, site-wise approval, scrutiny of existing advertising rights, and a potential separate transparent tender for advertising are also requested.

UADD officials clarified that the initial intent of the tender was for EV cars, which necessitated less space. However, the provisions were later expanded to include EV buses and mini trucks. The tender also already contained a 5% advertising space provision. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav intervened as patwaris raised concerns about drone survey errors under the SVAMITVA scheme in Bhopal.