T‘puram: The Akkulam Lake rejuvenation project is set to get a fresh lease of life, with the state govt deciding to revive the original, comprehensive restoration plan instead of proceeding with the scaled-down project that failed to attract bidders.The decision was taken at a meeting of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) held a few days ago, according to officials associated with the project. A fresh tender will be floated shortly to select an agency to execute the work, with govt seeking to take forward the original project scope rather than the temporary, low-cost intervention proposed earlier.The move comes after repeated attempts to implement a scaled-down rejuvenation plan, estimated at around Rs 3.5 crore, failed to secure a contractor. The reduced project was conceived as an interim measure to address the deteriorating condition of the lake and restore some of its basic amenities while the larger restoration plan remained stalled.The original project, titled Rejuvenation of Akkulam Lake and its Watershed – Rebuilding Kerala the Sustainable Way, was envisaged as a comprehensive initiative to restore the lake’s ecological health and develop its surroundings as a major recreational destination in the capital. The project had received revised administrative sanction of Rs 185.23 crore, while the contract awarded to Hyderabad-based Sri Avantika Contractors Ltd in 2022 was negotiated at Rs 96.13 crore.However, the project ran into trouble after govt terminated the contract in May 2025, citing deficiencies related to technical expertise, operational capabilities, and compliance with contractual requirements. Subsequent efforts to revive the project through a substantially reduced package also failed to make headway.The scaled-down plan was intended to focus on immediate interventions, including the removal of water hyacinth and other invasive weeds, desilting of selected stretches, repairs to damaged walkways and fencing, and restoration of facilities at Akkulam boat club to facilitate the resumption of boating activities.Wapcos Ltd, a public sector undertaking under the Union ministry of Jal Shakti, is the implementing agency for the project on behalf of the state tourism department. The agency had invited fresh bids for the reduced package, but the tendering process failed to yield a suitable contractor.With the latest decision, the focus is expected to shift back to the broader restoration plan, which seeks to address the lake and its watershed rather than limit the intervention to basic maintenance and beautification.A senior tourism department official said that the department was preparing to take forward the project following the discussions at the KIIFB meeting. The immediate priority is to initiate a fresh tendering process and identify an agency capable of undertaking the work in accordance with the proposed project’s scope.The official said the project would be taken forward under the original plan, with the tender process to be initiated shortly. The final project cost and scope will be reflected in the tender documents.Akkulam Lake, once a popular recreational destination, has been affected by the proliferation of water hyacinth, pollution and the deterioration of public infrastructure. The prolonged delay in implementing the rejuvenation project has raised concerns over the lake’s ecological condition and the loss of its recreational potential.
