Althara-Chenthitta road: KRFB invites tenders

04 Oct 2023 CW Team

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.

Technology

28 Oct 2025

Building Faster, Smarter, and Greener!

Backed by ULCCS’s century-old legacy, U-Sphere combines technology, modular design and sustainable practices to deliver faster and more efficient projects. In an interaction with CW, Rohit Prabhakar, Director - Business Development, shares how the company’s integrated model of ‘Speed-Build’, ‘Smart-Build’ and ‘Sustain-Build’ is redefining construction efficiency, quality and environmental responsibility in India.U-Sphere positions itself at the intersection of speed, sustainability and smart design. How does this translate into measurable efficiency on the ground?At U..

Smart Roads, Smarter India

India’s infrastructure boom is not only about laying more kilometres of highways – it’s about building them smarter, safer and more sustainably. From drones mapping fragile Himalayan slopes to 3D machine-controlled graders reducing human error, technology is steadily reshaping the way projects are planned and executed. Yet, the journey towards digitisation remains complex, demanding not just capital but also coordination, training and vision.Until recently, engineers largely depended on Survey of India toposheets and traditional survey methods like total stations or DGPS to prepare detai..

What Does DCPR 2034 Mean?

The Maharashtra government has eased approval norms for high-rise buildings under DCPR 2034, enabling the municipal commissioner to sanction projects up to 180 m on large plots. This change is expected to streamline approvals, reduce procedural delays and accelerate redevelopment, drawing reactions from developers, planners and industry experts about its implications for Mumbai’s vertical growth.Under the revised DCPR 2034 rules, buildings on plots of 2,000 sq m or more can now be approved up to 180 m by the municipal commissioner, provided structural and geotechnical reports are certified b..