The development of the first stretch of what is slated to be the longest smart road in the capital city, as part of the Smart City Mission project, faces potential delays due to a lack of bidders. The project, spanning from Althara near Vellayambalam to Chenthitta near Killipalam via Vazhuthacaud and Thycaud, failed to attract bidders even after the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB), the project's executing agency, initiated e-tender processes five times.

The most recent e-tender, issued last month, received no participation during the opening process held last week. Consequently, the KRFB has initiated a sixth tender and established a new deadline, which is set for October 7. In an effort to encourage bidder participation, the agency has structured the tender as a 'composite tender,' combining both construction and electrical works. The tender is scheduled to open on October 9.

Sources have revealed that contractors have now expressed interest in the project, primarily due to a change in the original plan from constructing a concrete road to a black-topped road, conforming to Indian Road Congress standards. The project entails the use of BM (Bituminous Macadam) and BC (Bituminous Concrete) tarring methods.

The proposed 4.2-kilometer road stands as the longest planned smart road in the city, to be constructed in two segments: a 3-kilometer section from Althara to Chenthitta, and a 1.2-kilometer stretch from Killipalam to Attakulangara. Initially scheduled for completion in June 2023, the project faced delays that prompted the cancellation of the contract by KRFB. The new deadline for project completion has been extended to June 2024.