Technical sanction pending, Thanal project faces delay

Time of India

5 hours ago

T'puram: The ambitious Thanal Housing Project, aimed at rehabilitating residents of the decades-old Vikalanga Colony at Muttathara, faces a prolonged delay as it awaits crucial technical sanction from the local self-govt department (LSGD).
Despite groundwork preparation and the selection of a contractor, construction is yet to begin.
Technical sanction for the revised project estimate, which exceeds Rs 2.5 crore, has been delayed. According to regulations, any project costing more than Rs 2.5 crore requires mandatory approval from LSGD's chief engineer. Though the city corporation submitted its proposal earlier this year, the inclusion of the outdated 2018 Delhi Schedule of Rates (DSR) prompted the need for revisions.
The project's total cost is Rs 20 crore.
"With the DSR revised this year, the project estimate must be updated accordingly. We are in the process of revising the proposal and will resubmit it shortly," a senior corporation official told TOI. "This is a critical step to ensure cost accuracy and avoid hurdles during execution," the official said.
To expedite the process, mayor Arya Rajendran met with the LSGD chief engineer last week.
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Sources said the engineer assured the mayor that the sanction would be granted within 10 days.
Despite awarding the construction contract to Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) last year, the project has not seen any major activity on site. ULCCS representatives said foundation work can begin once technical sanction is received. "The cost is likely to increase slightly with the updated DSR," said a ULCCS official.
Currently, 99 families, many of whom are persons with disabilities, reside in Vikalanga Colony in extremely challenging conditions. An anganwadi also operates in the area, highlighting the urgent need for new housing infrastructure. The colony, established nearly 48 years ago, earned its name because its population primarily comprised individuals with disabilities.
The Thanal project plans to construct a two-storey residential complex across two acres originally designated for rehabilitating fishermen affected by sea erosion.
Each of the 136 apartments will have 550 sq ft of living space, with four houses in each block.
Initially, the project was designed as a three-storey structure, but height restrictions imposed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) forced the civic body to downscale it.
A senior corporation official, however, stated: "This project remains a top priority for the corporation. We are pushing for quick approval and expect construction to begin soon after sanction is received," he said. Once started, the project is expected to be completed within 18 months. Thanal project is an initiative aimed at providing housing to vulnerable communities, specifically flood victims and fishermen affected by sea erosion.
The state govt incorporated Vikalanga Colony into it.