A comprehensive modernisation scheme encompassing monitoring system for ensuring the quality of road construction and modern road construction techniques along with use of concrete, plastic, and rubber will be promoted in the State, Minister for Finance K.M. Mani has said.
In his Budget 2012-13 presented in the Assembly on Monday, Mr. Mani said detailed estimate and design would be made compulsory for seeking administrative sanction for road works above Rs.5 crore. The Public Works Department would concrete the Seaport-Airport Road in Ernakulam.
Heavy maintenance of roads would be implemented in a phased manner in all State highways from this financial year. A sum of Rs.20 crore had been earmarked in the budget for this. As part of creating roads with international standards, 367 km of road would be developed under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) second phase at a cost of Rs.2,712 core and 1,286 km would be developed at a cost of Rs.5,100 crore under the Kerala State Road Improvement Project. In addition, 3,000 km of roads would be improved in the State by the PWD. Mr. Mani said a sum of Rs.25 crore had been allocated in the budget as the State's share for the second phase of the KSTP. A sum of Rs.50 crore had been provided for the improvement of 8,500 km of village roads that had been taken over by the PWD from the Local Self-Government. Funds for land acquisition of four-laning of the Karamana-Kaliyikkavila stretch of the NH 47 had been included in the special head of the Revenue Department.
The Finance Minister announced that the Alappuzha bypass would be constructed at a cost of Rs.5 crore and Rs.6 crore each had been made available for the construction of the bypass at Kollam and Kanjirapally. A parallel road would be constructed for the Ghat road in Wayanad at a cost of Rs.5 crore.
The PWD would take steps to ensure that the traditional heritage beauty of the old buildings would be preserved. As a first step, the Government Victoria College, Palakkad; Government Brannan College, Thalaserry; Maharajas College, Ernakulam; University College, Thiruvananthapuram; State Assembly Hall, Ernakulam; Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram; Ernakulam Law College, KNM Government Women's College, Kannur; and Government Teacher Education College, Thiruvananthapuram and Thalaserry; and Swati Tirunal Music College in the capital had been included.
A green building policy would be formulated as part of promoting eco-friendly construction. The Kerala Road Fund Board would be entrusted with the development of Kottayam- Kumarakom- Cherthala Tourist Highway. A sum of Rs.10 crore had been made available for land acquisition and preliminary work and Rs.1 crore for the Ponnani- Vengulam coastal highway.
