Chennai: Hero Cycles has won the tender to supply bicycles, helmets and water bottles free of cost to 5.32 lakh Class XI students in govt and aided schools across the state.The firm emerged as the L1 (lowest) bidder, quoting ₹14,711 (including tax) for two bicycles, one each for a boy and a girl. Avon Cycles Limited, the L2 bidder, quoted ₹15,059. Hero will supply cycles at ₹7,476 each for 2.95 lakh girls and ₹7,235 each for 2.37 lakh boys.While the bid totals more than ₹392 crore, the TVK govt had allocated only ₹277 crore (₹5,302 per cycle, including accessories) for this year.Backward classes welfare minister V Sampath Kumar was unavailable for a comment on whether the allocation will be revised. An official of the backward classes department, which floated the tender, said the govt will negotiate further with the bidder. “Revision of allocation and issuance of work order is more likely than cancellation of the tender,” the official said, adding that a decision would be taken soon.Documents from 2025 show that the DMK govt procured cycles for the scheme at ₹10,866 a pair (₹5,488 for a boys’ cycle and ₹5,378 for a girls’ cycle). That tender, however, covered only bicycles, not helmets and water bottles.The girls’ bicycles will be lilac mist and the boys’ army green. Both will carry the state govt logo engraved on the front tube. Last month, the govt extended the bid deadline and modified the tender document, dropping the clause that required BIS certification for the bicycle frame and fork.The firm will also ensure delivery of the bicycles and warranty, besides holding free service camps for three days once six months pass after students get the bicycles.
