Work under way at the commercial complex at Puthur in Tiruchi.
| Photo Credit: R. VENGADESH
The long-delayed commercial complex at Puthur in Tiruchi is likely to be completed by mid-February, as the Tiruchi Corporation has prepared a revised estimate to take up the remaining finishing works.
The project, taken up at a cost of ₹20.91 crore under the Smart Cities Mission after demolishing the old Puthur market, had progressed slowly when compared to several other infrastructure works in the city. Although preliminary works began in December 2019, construction gathered momentum only in October 2020. The project subsequently missed multiple deadlines and extended well beyond the scheduled completion date of December 2022.
Built over an area of 1.06 lakh square feet, the complex comprises a basement for parking and ground plus two floors. The project was originally planned with three floors, but one floor was dropped due to financial constraints.
Fund crunch, shortage of raw materials and manpower during the COVID-19 pandemic were cited as key reasons for the delay. The Erode-based contractor entrusted with the execution of the project was eventually blacklisted and penalised ₹1.2 crore for failing to complete the work for over five years. While nearly 90% of the construction was completed, the delay in commissioning the facility has resulted in significant revenue loss to the civic body.
To complete the remaining works, including painting, laying of paver blocks, electrical installations, plumbing and other finishing tasks, the Corporation has sanctioned ₹1.74 crore from its General Funds.
A senior Corporation official said once the remaining works were completed, the facility would be leased out to a single organisation, such as a bank or a hospital. The civic body aims to complete the works before February 15.
Published – February 01, 2026 07:36 pm IST
