Thiruvananthapuram: The LED lighting project the corporation proposed in 2014 to replace conventional streetlights is in limbo even after completing the tender process last year.
The state government has not yet given its nod and the corporation is going ahead with the maintenance of existing streetlights. Mayor V. K. Prashant said he was still pursuing the project.
“The finance department recently sent a query on the additional expenses that the corporation will incur. We have informed them that there will be none,” he said. “Since the project follows zero investment model, it's an irrelevant question.”
Earlier, the urban affairs department had enquired into the expertise of SIDCO, the lowest bidder, which had won a ten-year contract.
Sources say the queries were only to delay the process, and that there is pressure to go to another government agency. BJP councillors say the ruling Left was not prompt in replying.
“The query from the urban affairs department was sent before the corporation elections. They had not sent a reply until recently,” Valiyavila councillor Girikumar said.
