The high-level empowered committee meeting of the Rebuild Kerala Initiative (RKI), chaired by the Chief Secretary on Sunday, gave renewed administrative approval for various infrastructure development projects in the State. The decision was taken considering the increased tender costs and the renovation requirements of the projects. The meeting suggested that the projects should be taken forward by using existing project savings to meet the costs without putting additional burden on the State exchequer. The meeting was convened to discuss administrative hurdles and cost escalation related to road development, IT services, and natural disaster-resilient infrastructure.
The HLEC has given conditional approval to the Nenmara-Nelliampathy road upgrading project in Palakkad. The project length has been reduced from 30.470 km to 18.10 km due to legal issues, withdrawal of contractors and advice from the financing agency. However, the total cost has increased from ₹105.48 crore to ₹114.13 crore as per the revised cost norms.
Kuttanad package
Administrative approval has also been given for the tender overrun of four major road projects under the Local Self-Governments department. The committee has approved technical changes in the Kuttanad package being implemented by the KSEB. The approval is for the installation of a 110 kV air insulated substation in place of the initially proposed 110 kV gas insulated substation and for the use of 12.5 MVA transformers from KSEB instead of purchasing new ones. It has also approved the extension of the services of three technicians in the Aadhaar Vault project managed by Kerala State IT Mission till March 2026.Â
Published – November 10, 2025 05:52 pm IST
