Overview
- The metro operator’s fresh bid, issued Saturday, seeks one vendor to run shared mobile equipment across all stations and tunnels on the 33.5‑km Aqua Line.
- Mobile service inside the underground corridor has collapsed, with Vodafone Idea and BSNL users losing coverage on stretches that were previously live.
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sent a joint letter refusing support letters for new bidders and calling the tender’s space charges near ₹1,000 per sq ft commercially unviable.
- The operators ask MMRCL to grant Right of Way to Jio so it can either install new in‑building gear or use the network already built by ACES to restore service faster.
- MMRCL says it ended the ACES contract because the vendor failed to onboard at least three carriers, while ACES plans a court challenge citing updated right‑of‑way rules.