HC quashed and set aside OMC’s Tender Cancellation Notice of Kodingamali Bauxite Mine

By Bijay Mishra
Bhubaneswar, 7-4-26

The Odisha High Court in a land mark decision in W.P.(C) No.1134 of 2026 , exercising power of judicial review under Article 226 of the Constitution of India , quashes the Tender Cancellation Notice of OMC, for Selection of Mine Operator for Kodingamali Bauxite Mine in the district of Koraput and Rayagada . 

OMC Ltd had floated open tender vide RfP (Request for Proposal) No.193/OMC/P&T/2025 dated 03.11.2025; e- tender No.OMC/25-26/ET/03, dated 03.11.2025. The peak rated target was fixed at 35 Lakhs MT per year for a period of five years and extendable for another three years. Mythri Infrastructure and Mining India Private Limited having quoted price at Rs.252/MT became the lowest bidder for this .

Mythri 's bid was the lowest when the initial bids were taken and was also the lowest when the reverse auction got finished. It was 65.74% lower than the estimated ceiling price of the opposite parties, i.e., Rs.386.88. After having completed the entire tender process, Mythri  was entitled to be issued with work order. However  , OMC has arbitrarily cancelled  the Tender on 05.01.2026. 

Mythri  has challenged the OMC order in the HC , which quashed the Tender Cancellation Notice of OMC . In its judgment, the Court said that  , “From whatever angle the matter is looked at, this Court does not find any legality in the order of the Chairman, OMC and justification of the Chairman, OMC to override the views/opinions of the technical experts. The decision-making process leading the Chairman to direct for cancelling the tender in entirety is flawed with in the light of discussions made in the foregoing paragraphs. The Tender Cancellation Notice dated 05.01.2026 issued by the Chief General Manager (Mining), Odisha cannot be countenanced and hence, the same is quashed and set aside”

Honourable  Chief Justice  MR. Harish Tandon  and Honourable Justice  MR. Murahari Sri  Raman delivered the judgement . Mr. Vikas Singh, Senior Advocate was argued for Mythri Infrastructure and Mining India Private Limited represented through its Managing Director Mr  Tella Srinivasa Rao . Mr. Sanjit Mohanty, Senior Advocate was appeared for OMC .