Smart road planned for Chalai Market amid heritage project delays

Thiruvananthapuram: Despite setbacks in the Chalai heritage street project, the state govt has proposed reconstructing the Chalai Market Road, from Killipalam to East Fort, as a smart road under the Smart City initiative. PWD minister P A Mohammed Riyas has recommended Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL) to plan the project for completion by March 31, 2025. A meeting is expected in Nov to expedite implementation, with a tender to be issued soon.
This decision follows ongoing demands from Chalai market shop owners, who have voiced frustration over delays. Antony Raju, MLA, confirmed the project, noting that the govt is committed to securing a reliable contractor to ensure completion within four months.
"We've held several meetings to revive the Chalai heritage street project, but progress has stalled. Since nearby roads have been upgraded, shop owners requested a facelift for the main market road. I discussed this with the PWD Minister, who suggested including this road in the Smart City project. Work will commence soon," Raju told TOI. A review meeting with SCTL is also planned for Nov to hasten proceedings.
While the govt pushes for this upgrade, SCTL faces financial concerns. According to an official, 90% of the funds allocated to the Smart City projects have already been used, leaving only 10% for remaining tasks. "No final decision has been made on this proposal yet. We'll try to complete it with pending funds," the official said.
The Chalai heritage street project, originally launched in 2018, has been scaled down due to funding issues. The planned renovations, including road and building beautification, aimed to make Chalai a tourist-friendly commercial hub. However, frequent objections from traders, who resisted relocation, led to delays and the lapse of govt funds allocated between 2016 and 2021.
Now, efforts are refocused on ensuring improved access to Chalai market by upgrading the main road and the eight surrounding roads, which together create an octagonal layout. The new project scope prioritizes road connectivity and pedestrian accessibility, without the need for trader relocation.
To date, only the vegetable market renovation has been completed, leaving many of the heritage street features pending. The project's second phase, where the major components will be introduced, remains unrealized.