Deadline for completing three regional packages under electricity efficiency scheme extended

The deadline for completing three regional packages under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) meant for reducing losses and improving power supply across Kerala has been extended up to July 31 this year.

Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) director board has decided to grant the extension without liquidated damages for the south, central and north Malabar regional packages up to July end following a request from the Vindhya Telelinks Limited (VTL), the contractor for the three packages, according to the KSEB.

As per the original agreements, the date of completion for all three packages was January 31, 2026. The KSEB had awarded the works for ₹1246.05 crore (south: ₹408.56 crore, central: ₹539.74 crore, and north Malabar: ₹297.75 crore).

KSEB chief engineers handling distribution for the south and central regions had recommended the extension up to July 31, stating that the reasons cited by the contractors were found to be genuine. The chief engineer (distribution - north Malabar) had suggested an extension of the deadline till May 31. Extension beyond this point should be allowed with the imposition of liquidated damages, the latter recommended.

“The reasons identified for the delay include delays in conducting Third Party Quality Monitoring Agency (TPQMA) testing, delays in obtaining multi-utility permissions, force majeure conditions, non-deployment of sufficient skilled labour and delays in obtaining shutdowns,” the KSEB observed while sanctioning the deadline extension.

Earlier, the KSEB had granted an extension up to May 31 to Ramalingam Construction Company Ltd, the contractor for two other RDSS packages in the northern region. In granting the extension to VTL, the KSEB board also took into account the fact that the Centre had extended the deadline for completing schemes under RDSS by two years from March 31, 2026 to March 31, 2028.