Two months after the Public Works Department informed the district administration that urgent funds were required to start road repairs in the district, the State Disaster Management has allotted Rs.1.19 crore for immediate restoration and improvement of 22 roads. The Government Order (GO) issued by the department said the funds had been sanctioned as a “special case.” considering the state of roads in various parts of the district.
The roads for which the funds have been sanctioned are in Kadalundi, Ramanattukara, Cheruvannoor, Feroke, Beypore, Onchiyam, Cherode, Azhiyoor, Vadakara municipality areas, Eramala and Thamarassery. None of the thoroughfares, damaged by the monsoon, has yet been repaired.
Rs.40 crore required
In fact, at a high-profile meeting of the District Development Committee presided by District Collector C.A. Latha in August, the PWD had said funds to the tune of Rs.40 crore would be required to repair monsoon-damaged roads.
A separate report filed by the PWD Executive Engineer, Roads Division, had informed the committee that Rs.10 crore had already been allotted to finance the first phase of the repair work of the roads.
Among the 22 roads sanctioned for upgrading works, those coming within the Kozhikode Corporation limits are Saradhamandiram-Kallikoottam-Kolangakathuthazham Road in Cheruvannoor and Kuthukallu-Manappadam Vayal Road in Beypore. The majority of the roads set for upgrading works as per the order are located in Onchiyam and Cherode grama panchayats of the district.
The department had earlier sanctioned Rs. 54 lakh for immediate repair and restoration of roads.
