Urban local bodies in Kerala will soon have engineers specialised in mechanical, environmental and public health sector. The state government has given sanction to create 170 posts in different municipalities and corporations under 7 specialised categories. The new technical posts are being created in Kerala ULBs as per the guidelines for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2025–2026. The guidelines outline various reform-linked components focusing on urban planning reforms, which include governance reforms, financial reforms, and urban land and planning reforms.

The special assistance funds will be utilized for capital investment projects in the State. One of the key components is governance reforms, with an allocation of ₹250 crore, where incentives will be released on a pro-rata basis. As per the SASCI guidelines mandating governance reforms in ULBs for availing incentives, technical posts need to be created, if not already available, in each ULB with population more than 1 lakh and in each cluster of ULBs with population less than 1 lakh. 

Kerala has 14 ULBs with a population of more than 1 lakh and 79 ULBs with population less than 1 lakh. These 79 ULBs have been formed into 8 clusters. There are a total of 22 ULBs/ULB clusters which require post creation and filling. The Principal Director, LSGD had submitted a detailed proposal for sanctioning and filling of technical posts in ULBs on five year contract basis under SASCI. The posts include Environmental Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Hydrologist, Public Health Engineer, Accountant and  Finance Officer. The monthly contract pay of engineers have been fixed at ₹46,230. 

The local bodies in Kerala now have a designated engineering wing. The engineers handle preparation of estimates for works under the annual plan, construction of roads, drains and buildings. Often lack of specialized engineers has impeded proper upkeep of assets of civic bodies in the state. '