Performance-linked contracts for road maintenance soon

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPT. 27. The Public Works Minister, Dr. M.K. Muneer, has said that the Government proposes to bring performance-linked maintenance contracts for roads.

Addressing a press conference here today, the Minister said that the contractors under this scheme would be required to maintain a stretch of 25 to 50 km of road. They would be in charge of not only the maintenance of the surface of the road but also the drains, sign boards and the like.

The High Protection Act would be enforced as part of this. The contractors would be responsible for maintenance of riding quality of the roads throughout the contract period. This scheme would be implemented as part of the World Bank-aided road development.

Dr. Muneer said that the contractors would have to provide guarantee for the newly-surfacing roads. Private participation in running of rest houses was proposed as many rest houses were in a state of disrepair. The details are to be worked out soon.

He said that about 40 per cent of the equity of the Roads and Bridges Corporation was proposed to be divested. These shares were proposed to be transferred to the Infrastructure Development and Financing Company and the Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Service.

He said that tar was proposed to be imported as it would be cheaper. A 36 per cent concession in import duty was available when imports are made for the World Bank assisted and other schemes.

He said that the Malaysian Minister, Mr. Sami Velu, would be visiting Kerala in November to finalise construction of the Chalakkayam Sabarimala and Cherthala-Kumarakom-Kottayam road by Malaysia. The contract would be awarded under a different pricing system or a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

He said that the Government would be taking up the development of the high speed corridor only after ensuring the resettlement and rehabilitation of those affected. People, whose lands are acquired for the project, might also be given a stake in the project.

The Government, he said, is taking several measures to eliminate corruption in the Public Works Department. The powers of the chief engineer to sanction works had been reduced and transferred to a committee. It has been specified that administrative sanction for a work should be awarded only after land acquisition and other arrangements are complete.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : 'Tourism fails to get its due in South'
Next     : DMK trying to destabilise Pondy ministry, alleges
           PCC chief