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Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PWD to hold urgent meet over sluggish NH 66 work
T'puram: Amid growing concerns over the sluggish pace of work on the Kazhakkoottam–Kadampattukonam stretch of NH 66, PWD is set to convene a high-level meeting with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and contractor RDS Projects Ltd . The meeting aims to break the deadlock and expedite construction on the 29km stretch in the city. The project, awarded to RDS Projects Ltd for Rs 990 crore, faced significant delays after the company ran into financial trouble. Subsequently, RDS subcontracted the work to Pune-based RKC Infrastructure Ltd. However, the subcontractor is yet to mobilize sufficient workforce and machinery at the site. With state govt setting an ambitious deadline of Dec 2025 for NH 66 projects, PWD minister P A Mohamed Riyas has made it clear that the Thiruvananthapuram section must also be completed within that time frame. Currently, this stretch is the slowest-moving NH 66 project in Kerala, raising alarms in the corridors of the state's infrastructure planning machinery. "We have already instructed the contractor to speed up the work," said a senior PWD official. "Since there was no substantial progress, the govt is stepping in. The contractor will be directed to accelerate operations and ensure completion by Jan 2026 at the latest. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 자신이 전략의 달인이라고 생각하시나요? 레이드 섀도우 레전드 무료 체험 Undo Even though the work was subcontracted, RDS Projects remains accountable for the delay," he said. A NHAI official said that the agency issued an ultimatum to the contractor. "We are monitoring the progress closely. If further delays occur, we will impose penalties and contract termination will be considered as a last resort," the official said. Meanwhile, officials of RDS Projects Ltd were unavailable for comment. Earlier delays were attributed to material shortages, including rocks and red earth. The company approached the state govt to procure soil from a quarry in Mudakkal village, but financial difficulties led to the subcontracting arrangement. According to officials, approximately 20 lakh metric tons of soil are needed for landfilling and for building a 22-kilometre retaining wall on the bypass and highway stretch. The project was initially slated for completion by January 2025. It was later extended to October 2025, and the contractor has now sought a further extension to March 2026. Once completed, the upgraded 29km NH stretch will feature four flyovers, 36 culverts, six minor bridges, three vehicle overpasses, five vehicle underpasses, six light vehicle underpasses, four small vehicle underpasses, three cattle underpasses, a 29-km-long service road, 20 bus bays and a pedestrian overbridge on the 11.15km-long Attingal bypass.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Corp to call meet on traders' rehab
T'puram: City corporation failed to end the deadlock over a section of traders protesting against the rehabilitation of traders to the new temporary facility behind the Palayam Connemara Market as part of the market revamp project . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The civic body will call a meeting soon with the traders to reassure them and ensure that all traders are shifted to new facility without causing them difficulty. A total of 360 traders need to be relocated, of which fewer than 100 traders still need an electricity connection at the temporary facility. Palayam ward councillor Palayam Rajan expressed disappointment over the delay but remained optimistic that the issue could be resolved through dialogue. "The new temporary facility was constructed with all necessary amenities in mind. We understand the concerns of traders, but this revamp is essential. We are trying our best to address issues like the electricity connection for the remaining few. Corporation will soon call a meeting and ensure all 460 traders are relocated," he said. The civic body said that market redevelopment is long overdue and necessary to address sanitation, safety and structural concerns at the decades-old Connemara Market. The temporary facility was set up to ensure uninterrupted business for traders during the construction phase of the new market complex. The Rs 55-crore market redevelopment project, being executed by RDS Projects Ltd under the Smart City Mission, was expected to begin by March 31, 2025. However, the delay created financial and administrative complications, with additional funds now needed to proceed. The temporary facilities, jointly set up by the city corporation and Trida, consist of three prefabricated rehabilitation blocks made from high-quality steel. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Designed for ease of dismantling post-construction, they can house up to 460 traders, with dedicated sections for fish vendors. While most of the market will undergo significant changes, authorities have decided to retain the historic main gate, which holds cultural significance as a symbol of the erstwhile Travancore. The revamp of Palayam Market has been in the pipeline for over a decade.
