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Anti-Corruption Watchdog's Tender for 7 BMW 3 Series Limos Sparks Online Outrage - Lokpal's Luxury Blunder?
India's anti-corruption watchdog, the Lokpal, has issued a tender seeking seven BMW 330Li M Sport sedans for official use by the chairperson and members. The move, dated October 16, has drawn widespread attention for specifying premium German sedans priced around ₹60 lakh each.
The tender document outlines the procurement of the long-wheelbase BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine variant, with delivery preferred within two weeks and mandatory within thirty days. The total estimated outlay stands near ₹5 crore, inclusive of duties, registration and comprehensive insurance.
The Lokpal's vehicle request includes the M Sport trim with standard factory fittings and excludes any additional luxury modifications. Bids have been invited from authorised BMW dealers under standard government procurement rules, with an earnest-money deposit and a defined warranty period.
Political reactions surfaced soon after the publication of the tender on the Central Public Procurement Portal. Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram publicly questioned the need for luxury cars, remarking that "even Supreme Court judges are provided modest vehicles" and urging a review of public expenditure.
Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant also commented on the procurement, calling for cancellation of the tender and recommending adoption of electric vehicles like Mahindra's XEV 9E, BE 6 or Tata's Harrier EV.
On other posts on social media, criticism gained momentum as users questioned the symbolism of an anti-corruption body seeking premium sedans. Several posts suggested that government departments should prioritise economical or electric alternatives, while another tweet highlighted that Supreme Court and High Court judges use the same car.
BMW 330Li M Sport - The Luxury Sedan At The Heart Of The Newest Controversy
The BMW 330Li M Sport selected in the tender is the long-wheelbase Gran Limousine assembled at BMW's Chennai facility. It is positioned as a chauffeur-focused executive sedan, offering extended rear legroom and comfort-oriented suspension tuning for Indian driving conditions.
Powering the BMW 330Li M Sport is a 1,998 cc four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine developing 258 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. BMW claims a 0-to-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.2 seconds for the 330Li M Sport and a top speed of 250km/h.
Exterior features include the M Aerodynamics package, 18-inch M double-spoke alloy wheels, LED headlamps with cornering function and a high-gloss black kidney grille. The car retains the Gran Limousine's longer wheelbase profile and enhanced sound insulation for rear-seat comfort.
Inside, the cabin features Vernasca leather upholstery, a panoramic glass roof, three-zone climate control and ambient lighting. It also includes the BMW Live Cockpit Professional setup with a 12.3-inch instrument display and 10.25-inch control screen running the iDrive interface.
The Harman Kardon 16-speaker surround system, wireless charging pad and gesture control capabilities are standard on the M Sport trim. BMW offers a two-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, extendable up to six years, for the Gran Limousine range in India.
Safety equipment comprises six airbags, ABS with brake assist, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Cornering Brake Control, run-flat tyres and ISOFIX rear mounts. Lane-change warning and blind-spot detection systems are available on the Pro variant.
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