The six key roads modernised under the Kozhikode City Road Improvement Project (KCRIP) will be inaugurated at a function here on Tuesday. “The Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) executed the projects after forming a consortium of small cooperative societies. The Kerala Road Fund Board envisaged the projects in 2003 not only to solve traffic snarls but also waterlogging in the city,” A. Pradeepkumar, MLA, said.
In the first phase, Stadium-Puthiyara, Karaparamba-Kalluthankkadavu, Kovoor-Vellimadukunnu, Gandhi Road-Mini Bypass, Panathuthazham-CWRDM and Pushpa Junction-Mankavu have been modernised. Of this, Karaparamba-Kalluthankkadavu road was converted into four-lane carriageway. The rest were widened by 10 metres. Besides, the Kuniyilkkavu Road was widened by seven metres. A sum of ₹200 crore had been spent for the project for developing 22.24 k.m.
The length of the Stadium-Puthiyara road is 0.644 km, Kovoor-Vellimadukunnu road 2.735 km, Karaparamba-Eranhipalam and Arayadathupalam-Kalluthankadavu road 4.526 km, Gandhi Road-Mini Bypass and Kuniyilkavu-Mavoor road junction 3.435 km and Panathuthazham-CWRDM road 8.45 km.
The ULCCS has also been entrusted with maintenance such as retarring, footpath, street lights and signal system on the roads for 15 years. The contract period fixed was 24 months, but the firm finished the project in 20 months. The Kerala Water Authority (KWA), the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) had transferred their cables to facilitate the smooth construction of these roads. The roads have been modernised using state-of-the-art facilities such as drains on both sides, street lights, nine high-mast lights and traffic signals at 15 junctions. Bus bays, secured footpath with rails for pedestrians , and lawns have been constructed as part of the project.
