The government has given approval for 21 major infrastructure projects under the District Flagship Infrastructure Project (DFIP).
The projects, being rolled out in the first phase of the DFIP, is estimated to cost Rs.3,771.47 crore. The cost of the individual projects varies from Rs.25.30 crore to Rs.801.10 crore. The DFIP has been envisaged to accelerate infrastructure development in the districts.
Official sources told The Hindu that A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, Secretary, Public Works Department, had issued orders for the 21 projects, including five flyovers, four bypasses, and a bridge. The Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB), the special purpose vehicle under the Public Works Department, will implement the DFIP.
The funds required for the projects would be met from the share of the additional sales tax collected from petrol and high speed diesel sold in the State. The 50 per cent share at Rs.1 per litre of high speed diesel and petrol is expected to fetch Rs.200 crore a year.
In Thiruvananthapuram, the four-laning of the 6.5 km from Pravachambalam to Vazhimukku, under the Karamana-Kaliyikkavila NH 66 development, figures on the DFIP list. The project will cost Rs.160 crore.
Expenses
Of the 21 projects, the Cherthala-Vechoor-Kumarakom-Kodimatha Chira-KK Road-Kodimatha-Manarcaud Bypass Road Phase I requires the highest amount — Rs.801.10 crore, and the Palakkad Link Bypass the lowest — Rs.25.30 crore.
The upgrade of Chavara KMML junction-Kuttivattom-Kadapuzha-Kundara-IT Park-Kottiyam Road (Rs.50 crore), the 75-km Enath-Elamkulam-Vallikkodu-Chitta-Plappally (Rs.100 crore), 840-metre Valiya Azheekkal Bridge (Rs.110 crore); and Kuruthikalam-Velliymattom-Thodupuzha-Vannapuram-Cheruthony road (Rs.119 crore) figure among the sanctioned projects.
