Attukal Sewerage Project in Thiruvananthapuram Faces Significant Delays
The ambitious sewerage project in Attukal, Thiruvananthapuram, is likely to be delayed, with major construction works now expected to commence only after the upcoming assembly elections. Officials from the sewage wing of the Kerala Water Authority have confirmed that the project, estimated to cost around Rs 100 crore, is encountering multiple hurdles that are pushing back the timeline.
Procurement Delays Halt First Phase
While the tender process for the first phase has been completed and the contract awarded, actual work has not yet begun. The primary reason is the delay in procuring the pipes required for laying the sewer network. Officials stated that even if the purchase order for the pipes is issued immediately, it would take approximately one month for the materials to reach the site.
By that time, the election process is expected to be underway, making it difficult to carry out essential activities such as road excavation and pipeline laying. These works require necessary permissions from the corporation, which are harder to obtain during the election period due to administrative and logistical constraints.
Second Phase Stalled Due to Tender Issues
The second phase of the project has also run into significant obstacles. According to officials, only one bidder participated in the tender process, but this bidder was found ineligible during the technical evaluation. As a result, a fresh tender will have to be issued, a process that is expected to take around two months.
Officials indicated that this phase, too, is likely to move forward only after the elections, further extending the overall project timeline. The delays highlight the challenges in executing large-scale infrastructure projects amid political and administrative cycles.
Project Overview and Objectives
The sewerage project is being implemented in three phases to expand the underground sewer network in Attukal and nearby areas. The first phase, estimated at Rs 37.7 crore, involves laying around 18 kilometers of sewer pipelines across Attukal and Kalady wards.
This phase also includes the construction of manholes, storage wells, and a pump house to facilitate the collection of sewage. The sewage collected from these areas will be pumped to the Muttathara sewage treatment plant for treatment, aiming to improve sanitation and environmental conditions in the region.
The delays underscore the need for streamlined procurement and planning processes to avoid such setbacks in critical infrastructure projects. Residents and stakeholders are hopeful that the project will gain momentum post-elections, but the extended timeline may impact the anticipated benefits of enhanced sewage management in Attukal.
