Thiruvananthapuram: The long-awaited permanent headquarters campus of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) at Vilappilshala is set for another delay, as the university likely to float a fresh tender after differences emerged over revising the contract awarded to the original construction agency.The uncertainty centres on the contract awarded to the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) for constructing the university’s administrative block. University sources said ULCCS sought a revised agreement citing a sharp increase in construction and material costs since the contract was awarded in 2022.The university had earlier considered revising the agreement after legal scrutiny. However, differences of opinion within the syndicate stalled the proposal. With the term of the present syndicate having expired, the newly constituted syndicate, expected to take charge next month, will decide whether to revise the agreement or cancel the existing contract and invite fresh bids.If the project is re-tendered, construction is likely to be delayed further, as the bidding process, selection of a contractor and execution of a fresh agreement are expected to take several months.Vice-chancellor Ciza Thomas said the matter is under the syndicate’s consideration and a decision will be taken in accordance with university procedures. “The Syndicate is examining all available options, including the request for revising the agreement and the possibility of inviting a fresh tender. The university’s priority is to ensure that the project is implemented in a transparent and financially prudent manner,” she said.The proposed headquarters, spread across about 50 acres at Vilappilshala on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, is among the state’s biggest higher education infrastructure projects. Planned as a multi-phase residential campus, it will include administrative, academic and hostel blocks, besides a translational research centre and incubation facilities to strengthen industry-academia collaboration. The total investment is estimated at over Rs 1,000 crore.The permanent campus has faced repeated delays since KTU was established in 2015 due to land acquisition issues, administrative hurdles and slow progress in construction. Although work gained momentum after the government launched construction of the administrative block, the contractual dispute now threatens another setback.KTU currently functions from temporary facilities at the College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram. The new campus is expected to provide dedicated infrastructure for administration, teaching, research and innovation, besides housing a research park modelled on the IIT Madras Research Park to promote start-ups, industry collaboration and advanced research.
