Skeleton of an old-age home

However, since two months, the file is awaiting approval from the local self government department. Why the building was not completed in 2008 remains a mystery, as the fund for the project was already allotted under the Modernising Government Programme. Habitat Technology group was given the contract in March 2006 with an estimate of Rs 60 lakh to complete the building. However, the Habitat authorities say that the due to the delay in the release of funds from the Corporation the building process took a long time, and by that time the cost of the building materials had gone through the roof that it became impossible to finish it within the previous estimate. So they had asked for the estimate to be revised according to the new scheduled rate of 2008.  This was not done and Habitat stopped the work after completing  the basic structure in December 2008.

The Corporation authorities maintain that Habitat did not submit the documents despite several notices asking them to submit the necessary papers and resume the work.

However, the Habitat authorities say that the Corporation owes them Rs 11 lakh, which they had spent to complete the building.

Now, whatever be the reason, the lag in time  has caused escalation of the total cost from the previous estimate of Rs 60 lakh in total cost to Rs 82 lakh according to the present estimate. Meanwhile, there is an urgent need for a new building here. This is the only old-age home in the district run by the government and it is always filled to its capacity of 33 members and hence has to turn away several enquiries each month. This situation will improve only if the new building is completed which can accommodate at least 150

members.  Now, as there is no progress on the file since two months, T R Renish, the new councillor of Thevara, says, “I am planning to go to Thiruvananthapuram and check the progress of the file and hopefully, the building will be finished a soon as possible under the present estimate.”