Date:26/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/26/stories/2008072656440400.htm

Kerala - Kozhikode

Report on NH expansion project by August 15

Stafff Reporter

Kozhikode: Public Works Minister Mons Joseph on Friday said that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the proposed expansion of the 837-km stretch of the National Highway 17 and 47 into four-lane tracks was expected to be ready by August 15. He was talking to newspersons here. “The final decision on the implementation of the project will be taken at the joint meeting of the State Public Works Department and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI),” he said.

Mr. Mons said the government had decided to go ahead with a comprehensive development plans for various stretches of the National Highways, including NH 212- Kozhikode-Wayanad, NH213- Kozhikode-Palakkad, NH-208- Kollam-Chenkotta, NH-220-Kottayam-Kumili, NH-49-Kochi-Madurai and NH49 (A)- Kundannur-Wellington Island.

According to him, a decision on whether these roads could be developed into a two-lane or four-lane track would be taken only after a feasibility study by the NHAI. “Either way, the project envisages developing the highways to meet the international standards with ‘paved shoulders’ and ‘wayside amenities,” he said. The Minister said all these projects could be materialised only through a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) system. “The LDF government has also taken a policy decision on this,” said the Minister.

Explaining the importance of having a Complete Road Network for the State, Mr. Mons said that a national agency with international standards will soon be appointed for the feasibility study of this project. “The road polity of the State will also be formulated based on this study,” he said.

Elaborating on the government measures to ensure the quality of PWD undertakings in the State, the Minister said that a Quality Control Wing under the ministry will be set up in all the 14 districts in the State. “The quality control wing in nine districts will be started immediately,” said Mr. Mons, who added that the government had also decided to revamp the PWD manual immediately.