The Karimadom Colony housing project in Thiruvananthapuram has received approval from the district-level planning committee, clearing a major administrative hurdle for permanent housing for 128 families after nearly three years of uncertainty. The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation now plans to release 20% of the estimated project cost to the Centre of Sciences and Technology for Rural Development (Costford), the agency selected to construct the homes.
The project, launched under the Basic Services for Urban Poor (BSUP) scheme in 2008, proposes four residential buildings with 32 flats each. The total estimated cost is approximately Rs 22.05 crore, with each housing unit costing around Rs 21 lakh. Construction is expected to be completed within one year of commencement, subject to the execution of the agreement and adherence to the approved schedule.
The latest phase of the project had remained stalled since 2023. Although the corporation cleared the land for the proposed development in August 2025 and later appointed Costford through a tender process, work could not begin because the initial funds required by the agency had not been released. A foundation stone was laid in September 2025, but construction did not follow.
The project also faced an administrative setback last month when the district-level planning committee initially rejected the proposal after treating it as a new housing project. The corporation subsequently clarified that it was an existing project that had been pending for several years. The proposal was then reconsidered and approved on Monday.
Corporation secretary J Mohammed Shafi said the approval would allow the project to move forward. “The district-level planning committee has approved the project. We can move forward with the construction now, and the issues will be addressed soon,” he said, according to the Times of India.
For families living in Karimadom Colony, the delay has extended the period before they can move into permanent homes with improved basic amenities. The BSUP project was intended to improve living conditions in the colony, but repeated delays in approvals, funding and execution have kept residents waiting despite the rehabilitation plan being announced years ago.
The proposed residential complex will have four floors. However, the design has raised concerns about accessibility because it does not include a lift. Elderly residents and people with mobility difficulties may face challenges in accessing upper floors, and the corporation is considering possible modifications to address the issue.
The immediate next steps are the release of the initial 20% payment to Costford, completion of the project agreement and commencement of construction. The one-year completion timeline will begin once work formally starts.
