Public Works Minister V. K. Ibrahim Kunju said here on Thursday that the Public Works Department (PWD) would draw up a construction policy as part of implementing an environment-friendly green buildings project.
Announcing the programmes of the Department for the next 100 days, the Minister said that a pilot project would be taken up under a Chief Architect for implementation of the project, training and quality assurance.
Besides a quality management system would be set up in the Department; incorporating road maintenance, geographical information and finance management systems, safety, environmental management and social impact management. Laboratories would be set up in all district headquarters for quality assurance.
Mr. Ibrahim Kunju also announced that orders revising the Public Works manual would be issued within the 100 days. Though the previous government had announced the revision of the manual, the orders had not been issued. The new manual that suits modern technologies would help to eliminate delays in investigation, design, planning and preparation of estimates. Periodical training would be given to update the knowledge of staff.
He said that the PWD rates would be linked to the wholesale price index to as to eliminate difference between PWD rates and market rates. The tendering authority would be able to compare tenders with existing market rates and approve the tenders to avoid delays. E-tendering would be implemented in full to simplify the tendering process and make it transparent.
The Kerala Highway Research Institute would be upgraded as centre of excellence. The private sector would be consulted for construction of buildings and bridges using modern technology. As concrete building technology would not be suitable for maintenance of historical buildings, hospitals and offices built using traditional technology, a special cell would be formed in the Department under a Chief Engineer for renovation of such buildings.
The Minister also announced construction of 12-storeyed pilgrim guest house at Ranni, building of a square near Mala police station to be named after former Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, completion of sea-port airport road in Kochi, excise academy building in Thrissur and mini civil station in Kasaragod. Land acquisition would be started for Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Ayarkunnam and Kooropada bypasses. Ongoing works under the Kerala Road Fund Board in Thiruvananthapuram would be completed.
