Minister for Public Works and Sports M. Vijayakumar said here on Monday that all the PWD roads in the State would be re-surfaced within the tenure of the present government. Addressing a press conference, the Minister said that the roads in the State had been categorised into five based on their condition. Bad and very bad roads would be re-surfaced before November this year.
Mr. Vijayakumar said that considerable progress had been made in repairing roads with potholes. The number of potholes across the State had come down from 80974 on June 25 to about 6000 by August 10.
Since new potholes were developing because of the continuing rain, funds had been allocated to address the problem. Rs. 79 crore had been set apart for undertaking patch works when the monsoon is over. He said that monitoring committee with the people’s representatives as members would be formed in all districts to keep tab on public works and condition of roads.
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Contractors completing works in time would be given awards in addition to one per cent bonus. Action would be taken against defaulting contractors. Steps had been taken for e-tendering of works. The data book used for preparing estimates would be replaced.
The proposed revision of PWD manual would be completed this month. Norms would be brought for transfer of officials in the Department.
He said that Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan would be convening an all-party conference to discuss issues connected with National Highway development. Maintenance of the highways would be undertaken without waiting for release of Rs. 3000 crore sanctioned by the Centre.
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