The second phase of the proposed sewerage project for Attukal and surrounding areas in Thiruvananthapuram has faced significant delays due to legal proceedings involving a disqualified contractor, forcing the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to initiate a fresh tender process in June.
Contractor Disqualification and Legal Battle
According to KWA officials, the contractor selected for the second phase was later found ineligible during scrutiny of qualification documents and was subsequently disqualified. The contractor challenged the decision in the High Court and obtained a stay order, halting further proceedings. However, sources within KWA revealed that the court has now reportedly upheld the authority's position, and an order is expected soon to vacate the stay, paving the way for the contractor's removal.
Once the order is received, KWA plans to float a fresh tender in June and select a new contractor. A senior KWA official stated, "The work could have started much earlier had the contractor not approached the High Court. We disqualified the bidder after finding that the eligibility criteria were not met. The legal proceedings resulted in considerable delay. The project was also affected by the election code of conduct during the general elections, which slowed down administrative processes."
Timeline and Project Scope
Officials estimate that even after the fresh tender is floated, it may take around three months to complete the tendering process, award the contract, and begin field-level works. The sewerage expansion project, estimated at around Rs 100 crore, is being implemented in three phases to improve underground sewer connectivity in Attukal and neighbouring areas. Many of these areas currently depend on septic tanks and lack a comprehensive sewer network.
The first phase, estimated at Rs 37.7 crore, has already completed tender procedures and includes laying nearly 18 km of sewer pipelines in Attukal and Kalady wards. The work also involves the construction of manholes, storage wells, and a pump house. Sewage collected through the network will be pumped to the Muttathara Sewage Treatment Plant for treatment.
Importance of the Second Phase
The second phase forms a crucial component of the overall project as it seeks to extend the sewer network to additional residential pockets and strengthen sewage collection infrastructure in the region. With fresh tenders expected next month, KWA hopes the project can regain momentum after months of delay caused by litigation and administrative hurdles.
