PWD for adopting new technology for construction of roads, maintenance

July 19, 2010 04:17 pm | Updated 04:17 pm IST - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

The Minister for Public Works and Finance, T. M. Thomas Issac has said that the conventional way of constructing roads in the State should be changed to meet the anticipated passenger and freight travel demand in the years ahead.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, the Minister said the Government is for making use the latest technology and machines for the resurfacing of the roads to ensure longer life for the roads and to ensure hassle-free travel. The heavy maintenance and bitumenised concreting roads done by Kerala State Transport Project and Kerala Road Fund Board are needed for the State.

The overall quality of PWD roads is much below the prescribed standard set forth by the Indian Road Congress (IRC) and this has been incurring significant economic loss through increased vehicle operating cost and accidents. The Minister said the PWD has decided to procure a pothole filling machine from Patna at an estimated cost of Rs. 35 lakh on a trial basis.

Dr. Issac said over one lakh potholes had been filled during the intensive drive launched by the PWD in the state since he took over the charge of the department. “Ninety per cent of the potholes had been filled and work cannot be taken up in remaining area due to seepage of water, flooding and other reasons”.

Tenders had been invited for carrying out patch work in 6200 kms of PWD roads in the state. The work will commence in August and it will be completed before the Onam. The resurfacing of 400 to 500 kms of PWD roads that had been identified as worst will be taken up after the patch work is completed. The tenders will be invited in August and the work will commence after the North East monsoon in October.

KSTP second phase

The Minister for Public Works said the Government is hopeful of commencing the Rs. 1300 crore second phase of the Kerala State Transport Project after completing the formalities in November.

The delay in completing the first phase had led to the dragging of commencement of the second phase and the World Bank is likely to be the funding agency for the second phase also, he said.

NH development

To a query, Dr. Issac said the Chief Minister will soon convene an all party meeting to discuss the issue of National Highway development.

The Centre has not communicated any decision till date and adecision will be taken soon after the all-party meeting.

On introducing e-tendering in PWD, the Minister said the department was looking into whether the software being used by the Kerala Water Authority can be used by the department as the one from NIC will take at least another two months.

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