The proposed 8,000-km core road network that envisages linking up major roads in Kerala will be established with the assistance of World Bank, Public Works Minister V.K. Ebrahim Kunju has said.
In an official statement here on Wednesday, the Minister said former Chief Secretary Babu Jacob would monitor the project implementation. His appointment follows a direction from the World Bank to appoint a person having hands-on experience in the functioning of various government agencies including the Public Works Department and the Finance Department.
The official, appointed as client executive programme sponsor, will coordinate the activities of identifying key roads, formulation of an agency to implement the plan etc.
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As part of implementing the project, the State government will float an agency having autonomous powers which will be operated with around 1,200 employees, to be drawn from various government departments. The government plans to execute the project within 10 years.
Meanwhile, authorities have already completed revamp of about 1,500 km of road across the State with the assistance of the World Bank. Restoration of another 363 km of road is under progress.
The second phase of the Kerala State Transport Project provides for the appointment of experts to carry out studies towards establishing the core road network.
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