Chalai Market Revamp May Get Boost From Urban Challenge Scheme

15 May 2025 CW Team

The long-delayed redevelopment of Thiruvananthapuram’s historic Chalai market could soon gather momentum, as the Kerala government seeks funding under the Union government’s newly launched Urban Challenge Scheme. Authorities aim to secure one-third of the project’s estimated Rs 2 billion cost through this Central initiative, recently introduced in the Union Budget.

Spearheaded by Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL), the redevelopment is planned in four phases. Phase I, which involves upgrading the internal road network, is nearing completion. However, financial constraints have stalled subsequent phases.

“We’ve been exploring funding avenues, and the Centre has responded favourably. Discussions are at an advanced stage, and we are optimistic about receiving support,” said an official. A notable feature of the upgrade will be the installation of umbrella-style covers along the market’s main thoroughfare.

The project was adopted in 2022 as a contingency measure when other redevelopment efforts—such as the Palayam market and Rajaji Nagar upgrades—faced delays. To avoid forfeiting already sanctioned funds, authorities pivoted towards Chalai. However, as the original projects resumed, funding for Chalai became limited, prompting a fresh search for financial backing.

SCTL has already spent around Rs 150 million upgrading internal roads, with the final cost of Phase I expected to reach Rs 300 million. Work on the main arterial stretch is set to begin shortly. Another central component of the project is a proposed multi-level car park on corporation-owned land within the market area.

The state hopes that funding under the Urban Challenge Scheme will ensure steady progress, helping to restore one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant commercial hubs while easing congestion and enhancing infrastructure.

Infrastructure Urban

17 Sep 2025

DCPC Prepares for Special Campaign 5.0 with Focus on E-Waste

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, is gearing up for Special Campaign 5.0, to be held from 2nd to 31st October 2025. The initiative will focus on e-waste disposal as per MoEFCC’s E-Waste Management Rules 2022, space optimisation, and enhancing workplace efficiency across field offices.Special Campaign 4.0, conducted between October 2023 and October 2024, delivered notable results in record management, grievance redressal, scrap disposal, and cleanliness drives.Key outcomes of Special Campaign 4.0Records management: 2,443 physical fil..

BlackRock India Leases 1.4 Lakh Sq Ft in Bengaluru

BlackRock Services India, the domestic arm of global asset manager BlackRock, has leased 1.4 lakh sq ft of office space at IndiQube Symphony in Bengaluru, according to Propstack data. The 10-year deal is valued at around Rs 4.10 billion.The lease, among the largest transactions in India’s co-working sector, highlights the growing preference of global institutions for flexible office providers. The agreement, commencing October 1, 2025, covers ground plus five floors in KNG Tower 1 at Ashoknagar, MG Road — one of Bengaluru’s prime commercial hubs.As per the lease document, BlackRock will ..

L&T Bags Rs 25–50 Bn Order for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Track Works

Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Transportation Infrastructure business has secured an order valued between Rs 25 crore and Rs 50 billion from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.The contract, Package T1, involves the design, supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of 156 route km of high-speed ballastless track on a Design-Build Lump Sum Price basis. The stretch runs from Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex to Zaroli village in Gujarat and includes 21 km of underground track and 135 km of elevated viaduct.Se..