Contractors reluctant to take up road works in Thiruvananthapuram local bodies
Forty-two road works in rural local bodies remained without takers despite being tendered three times, according to The Hindu.
Contractors are showing reluctance to undertake road works in several local bodies in Thiruvananthapuram district because the Local Self Government Department has not yet revised rates for civil works, according to The Hindu.
In rural local bodies within the district, 42 road works did not receive any bidders even after being tendered three times.
The rising cost of building materials, including Bitumen which increased due to the war situation in West Asia, has contributed to the issue.
The department made a new schedule of rates effective from May 2025 and allowed tender excess of up to 10 per cent.
Minister for Local Self Governments K.M.Shaji told the Assembly last week that the department is considering a proposal from the Chief Engineer to permit excess costs, similar to an earlier order issued by the Public Works department.
Major road works in various panchayats, the Thiruvananthapuram district panchayat, and some block panchayats have been pending, including works proposed by MLAs of various Assembly constituencies in the district.