Thiruvananthapuram: Ahead of assembly polls in April, KSEB granted administrative sanction to procure electric poles worth Rs 108.23 crore to meet the demand for 20 months, from 2025 to 2027. A large number of poles are being purchased for use under electrical sections across the state.
The board of directors accorded administrative sanction for an amount of Rs 108,23,86,598, including 18% GST, for procuring 200-kg pre-stressed cement (PSC) concrete poles. This was to supply 3,21,752 PSC poles to various electric circles under south, central north and north Malabar regions. "Considering the urgency of PSC poles to meet the preparedness of KSEBL at times of natural calamity, and since the model code of conduct is likely to come shortly for the assembly election in May 2026, causing delay in the tendering process, which has to be initiated once again based on the examination of procurement manual by govt…", said the board order for the large-scale purchase.
The board originally decided to purchase 6,43,504 PSC poles for 2025-26. Considering the possibility of "emergency due to natural calamity" and assembly election-related procedures, the board decided to purchase an equal number of poles for use in 2026-27 also. According to the board order, 14 bidders participated in the bid, all of them being either local or other state MSMEs. The pre-qualification committee decided to prequalify 10 bidders and disqualify 4 bidders.
"Subsequently, in response to requests for reconsideration, and despite financial advisor's position not to revisit the matter of disqualified bidders, the issue was placed before the supplementary pre-qualification committee (PQC). The supplementary PQC, overriding financial advisor's disagreement on reconsidering the previously disqualified bidders, decided to prequalify one additional firm while upholding the non-qualification of the remaining firms as they didn't satisfy the techno-commercial requirements stipulated in tender conditions", the board order mentioned.
The final bids of 11 bidders for 23 electrical circles were opened on Oct 15, 2025. Based on financial advisor's opinions, further negotiations were conducted with the bidders. The purchase committee that examined the matter in detail referred the same to the director board for further consideration. At this point, the director board authorised the officials concerned for purchasing electric poles.
As per the board order, Vellackamattathil Industries, Kothamangalam; Shree Ummed Cement Udyog, Chennai; Gandhar Venture Pvt Ltd, Chennai; Venand Structurals, Kottayam; Goutham Cement Works, Chennai; Bajrang PIL LLP, Rajasthan; Jyothi Constructions, Mangalore; PICOS, Kannur, and Anchor Structurals, Ernakulam, are the companies selected to supply electric poles.
B S Anilkumar is a journalist with over two decades of demonstrat...
Read MoreB S Anilkumar is a journalist with over two decades of demonstrated experience as news reporter, political analyst, newsroom manager and news coordinator of major events, including quite a number of elections and state budgets. Not one who moved straight from class room to news room. Anil turned to journalism after spending half a dozen years in experimental theatre in Kerala, as actor, writer and coordinator, traveling across the state and outside and interacting with luminaries and contemporaries in the field. Translated two plays-The Royal Hunt of the Sun and The Lovers. He writes in all formats- short and long. Focuses mainly on politics, education and power sectors, besides finance, culture and theatre. Currently working as deputy metro editor The Times of India, Thiruvananthapuram bureau in Kerala.
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