The Kochi Corporation has rejected a bid from the Thrissur District Labour Contract Cooperative Society (TDLC) for the preparation of a detailed project report for a convention centre in Edappally. This decision comes amid a vigilance and anti‑corruption bureau probe into the controversial P&T Apartment Complex at Mundamveli, which TDLC built. The corporation said it would retender the project after terminating TDLC’s services in July 2024.
TDLC had been the lowest bidder in the August tender for the DPR, but the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) had commissioned the apartment complex through TDLC without a tender. Sources from the former GCDA administration said they had asked the state government to blacklist the company after construction shortcomings, but the GCDA lacks that authority. The corporation noted that more than ₹1 crore was withheld from TDLC’s bills out of a ₹14.62 crore project estimate, and revenue recovery proceedings were initiated for ₹4.35 crore.
Mayor V.K. Minimol said the corporation could not engage an agency under a council resolution seeking a vigilance probe. She added that TDLC’s failure to address issues such as leakage led to termination and payment withholding. TDLC’s vice‑president M.R. Raveendran argued that the project budget was cut from an original estimate of over ₹20 crore, compromising the structure, and that the company incurred a loss of ₹95.5 crore due to a spike in steel prices after the Russia‑Ukraine war. The P&T Apartment Protest Committee has called for an inquiry into alleged asset accumulation by GCDA officials and vows to continue an indefinite protest until its demands are met in writing; a meeting with the Chief Minister is scheduled for October 6.
