The PWD has given shape to two organisations to provide quality service to commuters.
While Prateeksha Shelter Kerala Ltd will set up modern bus shelters, Ashwas Public Amenity Company will construct toilets in public spaces, said Minister for Public Works V.K. Ibrahim Kunju.
Work on bypass
The Centre and State will equally share the expenses for constructing bypasses at Kollam and Alappuzha in NH 47. Tenders have been invited for the works. He said a multi-modal integrated transportation system would be introduced in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, by ensuring coordination among agencies that deal with roads, railways and waterways. This will provide commuters with a choice of modes to travel.
Addressing media persons here on Thursday, he said steps have also been taken to use mechanised and innovative methods to speed up road construction works and to improve the quality of roads. Road projects worth Rs. 10,600 crore will be undertaken in the coming three years. The emphasis would be on their durability, he said.
Engineers will be trained in adapting newer methods of building roads and allied infrastructure. Pre-fabrication technology will be adopted in select projects to speed them up. Based on a safety audit done on the State’s roads, proposals worth Rs.508 crore have been readied to enhance safety measures. Solar-powered street lights were installed at Kazhakootam, on an experimental basis.
Kochi roads
Speaking about development of Kochi roads, Mr. Kunju said the Fort Kochi-Chellanam-Alappuzha coastal road would be commissioned this year. Administrative sanction is ready for widening Airport-Seaport Road into a four-lane one. A portion of the road will be surfaced with concrete. The second phase of works – the one to extend the road up to the airport from Kalamassery, will begin soon.
The Railway has permitted the construction of 40 overbridges. Eight new bridges will be commissioned by May. He added that PWD rest houses will re renovated and their cleanliness ensured with the help of Kudumbasree workers.
