Mangaluru: Pumpwell bus terminal project to be revived under Swiss Challenge model

Mangaluru: Pumpwell bus terminal project to be revived under Swiss Challenge model

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 7, 2025: The long-pending plan to build a modern bus terminal at Pumpwell under the Smart City project is poised for revival, with authorities opting for the Swiss Challenge model to attract developers and push the stalled initiative forward.

The Mangaluru Smart City Ltd has decided to seek proposals through the Swiss Challenge method to identify the most competitive offer for the Pumpwell bus terminal. Officials view this as the final attempt to execute the project before it moves out of the Smart City’s purview.

Land acquisition for the terminal was completed in 2009, with 7.23 acres of private land purchased for the project. Despite multiple efforts, the plan has made little progress. Mangaluru Smart City Ltd had floated tenders three times, estimating a cost of ₹445 crore, but failed to receive any bids. Even after revising costs and redesigning the plan, there was no response, prompting the decision to adopt the Swiss Challenge route.

Although soil-filling work began around five years ago, the site remains unused. Nearly four years back, there was a proposal to temporarily shift the city service bus stand to Pumpwell after laying interlock tiles. Alternative sites such as Padil and Kuloor were also considered, but Pumpwell was ultimately chosen as the most suitable location.

Under the Swiss Challenge model, any interested developer can submit a project proposal. A committee then evaluates it, and competing bidders are invited to offer better plans. The contract is awarded to the bidder with the most viable and beneficial proposal. The same approach was previously used for Bengaluru’s Peripheral Ring Road project, and this marks its first use in Mangaluru.

With this renewed strategy, Mangaluru Smart City Ltd hopes to finally turn the long-delayed Pumpwell bus terminal project into reality.