The Public Works Department (PWD) has adopted a three-pronged strategy to build durable roads, which will in turn serve the cause of rubber farmers, coir workers and protect the environment, Minister for Public Works G. Sudhakaran has said.
Speaking here on Saturday after opening the Eroor overbridge, he said the Department had issued directions to use rubberised bitumen, which was more resistant to water than conventional bitumen.
“The government has decided to use 50,000 tonnes of rubber while resurfacing roads this year. Besides ensuring durable roads, it will be of help to rubber farmers.”
The massive environmental problems posed by plastic waste can be considerably lessened if shredded plastic is mixed with bitumen used for road works. “This ensures more binding strength than rubberised bitumen. A three-km road has been relaid using the technology in Neyyantinkara and this will be replicated in other parts of Kerala,” Mr. Sudhakaran said.
He added that coir geo textiles would be widely used in low-lying areas to prevent roads suffering damage due to water logging. “They come with a 10-year warranty. Moreover, roads being developed will henceforth have footpaths, drains and ducts to route pipelines and cables. While footpaths ensure safety of pedestrians, ducts do away with the need for digging roads. Cycle tracks too will be built wherever possible.”
Bitumen-diversion scam
The Minister said PWD contractors diverting bitumen purchased from BPCL-KRL was a major scam that needed to be busted. The last five years saw corruption worth thousands of crores in resurfacing and repair of roads and bridges in Kerala. Funds meant for building safe, motorable roads ended up in wrong hands, due to the “feudal mindset” of key stakeholders, he said.
Toll irregularities
Announcing that motorists would not have to pay toll for using the Eroor overbridge, Mr. Sudhakaran said the government decided to do away with toll collection for road and bridge projects that cost less than Rs.100 crore since there were massive irregularities in toll collection across Kerala. The project cost was often hyped to collect much more than the amount spent on the projects, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, K.V. Thomas, MP, said funds for road works could be collected by increasing cess on fuel.
Narrow road
John Fernandes, MLA, demanded steps to widen approach roads to the new bridge and also Kaniampuzha Road that links Eroor with Vyttila. The road must further be extended up to Airport-Seaport Road.
M. Swaraj, MLA, presided over the function attended by hundreds of people who turned up at the venue to witness the
realisation of a long-cherished dream.
The bridge was built by the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala Limited (RBDCK), while the BPCL-KRL contributed ₹12.50 crore and the Railways ₹10.5 crore, said Asha Thomas, the managing director of RBDCK.
