Palayam Underpass opened for traffic

Kerala PWD made a land mark in the State capital's road development, when Chief Minister Shri. Oommen Chandy opened the underpass at Palayam, constructed in a record seven-and-a-half months, for vehicular traffic. "It is a miracle in the development history of the State that such a project has completed ahead of schedule. My predecessors could not get this opportunity," Shri. Oommen Chandy said, after lighting the lamp to inaugurate the 313-metre long and 12.70-metre wide underpass aimed at easing congestion at Palayam. The Chief Minister expressed this as an example to the whole State that collective responsibility and determination can do wonders on the development front. The ongoing development projects in the city will be completed in a time-bound manner and the first phase of the Civil Station at Kudappanakkunnu will be over as scheduled on March 1 next year. As promised by Minister for Finance Shri.Vakkom Purushothaman on December 16,2004, when the foundation stone for the project was laid, a gold ring was presented to Minister for Public Works M.K. Muneer for completing the underpass within the time frame. A `ponnada' was also presented to Dr. Muneer on behalf of the 'Thiruvananthapuram Poura Samithi'. Presiding over the function, Dr. M.K.Muneer said the Government are looking into the demand for constructing flyovers at Peroorkada and Pettah and city development projects will be taken up at Kochi and Kozhikode immediately. Speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly, Shri.Therambil Ramakrishnan, who was the chief guest, suggested for the introduction of a penalty clause to ensure completion of the works within the stipulated time, along with rewards for early completion. Minister for Cooperation M.V. Raghavan, Minister for Local Self-Government K. Kutty Ahmed Kutty, Minister for Transport N. Sakthan, Mayor J. Chandra, City Development Advisor N.S. Sreenivasan, Trivandrum Development Authority Chairman, Shri.P.K. Venugopal welcomed the gathering. Shri.Babu Jacob, Advisor on Urban Development Projects, presented the report and Shri.K.Joseph Mathew, Chief Engineer (Roads & Bridges and IT) proposed vote of thanks. MLAs and top officials attended.

Construction of Palayam underpass

Dr.M.K.Muneer, Hon'ble Minister for Works reviewed the progress of construction of Palayam underpass on 20th April 2005. Sri. P.K.Venugopal, Chairman, TRIDA, Smt. Lida Jacob, Secretary, PWD, Sri. K.Joseph Mathew, Chief Engineer (R&B), Sri.P.K.Satheesan, Project Engineer and other senior officials of PWD and Punj Lloyd, the agency undertaking the construction were present. It was announced that the western side of MG Road at Palayam Martyr's Column will be opened for vehicular traffic on 25th April and the eastern side will be closed for completing the balance portion of Palayam underpass.

Foundation stone laid for Palayam underpass

Shri.Oommen Chandy, Hon'ble Chief Minister laid foundation stone for the Palayam underpass at a function held at Palayam on 16th December 2004, presided over by Dr.M.K.Muneer, Hon'ble Minister for Works. Sri.Vakkom B Purushothaman, Hon'ble Minister for Finance laid foundation stone for the Bakery Junction Flyover and Sri. M.V.Raghavan, Hon'ble Minister for Cooperation handed over the land taken over for the projcet to Smt.Lida Jacob, Secretary PWD. Shri. B.Vijayakumar, MLA inaugurated the planting of tree saplings. Shri. K.Mohankumar MLA, Shri. M.A.Waheed MLA, Shri Beemapally Rasheed, Dr.N.S.Sreenivasan, Shri.K.Ramchand, Shri.T.A.John, Shri.Palayam Rajan offered felicitations. Shri.Babu Jacob, Chief Secretary presented the report. Shri.P.K.Venugopal, Chairman, TRIDA welcomed the gathering near Martyr's column, and Chief Engineer of PWD Shri.K.Joseph Mathew offered vote of thanks. The work of Palayam underpass is to be completed by 31st May 2005, the Minister for works announced. Finance Minister Shri. Vakkom B Purushothaman offered a gold coin to the Works Minister if the construction of the underpass completed before 31st July 2005. Dr.M.K.Muneer announced at the function that a new fly over will also be constructed at Pattom junction.

Chief Minister lighting the lamp at the inaugural function.

Training programme on Road Safety

A Training programme on Road Safety was organised at Ernakulam for the pwd engineers of Ernakulam, Kottayam, Idukki and Thrissur districts on 6th and 7th December 2004. Sri. K.Joseph Mathew, Chief Engineer (R&B&IT) inaugurated the training on 6-12-2004 and Mr. Jim Jarvis of VicRoads, Mr.K.Tivari of SMEC and Jacob George, Highway Engineers lead the discussions

 

PWD Webportal operationalised

Shri.A.K.Antony, Hon.ble Chief Minister formally launched the pwd portal and operationalised the state wide PWD network WINGS at a function held at the Govt Secretariat on 8th July 2004 at 10.30 am. In his address he stressed the need for greater transparency and improved efficiency in the Department. Dr.M.K.Muneer, Hon.ble minister for works presided over the function. Shri.Babu Jacob, Additional Chief Secretary, Smt.Lida Jacob, Secretary PWD and Chief Engineers of PWD Shri.K.Joseph Mathew, Shri.Sureshan Koilerian, Shri.H.V.Haridas participated in the function.

Acess Controlled Highspeed Road Corridor

Government have approved construction of a high speed road corridor from Manjeswaram in Kasargod district to Parassala in Thiruvananthapuram district and the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (company) for the implementation of the project. Government will contribute 50% of the share of the company for an amount of Rs.10 crores and allow the Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd. Mumbai (ILFS), to contribute the remaining 50% of the share capital, also of Rs.10 crores.

The Special Purpose Vehicle (company) to be formed will have 14 directors, with Chief Minister as its Chairman, Minister for Works as Vice Chairman, Minister for Finance, Minister for Revenue and Law and Minister for Industries and Social Welfare as directors. Government will appoint the Managing Director of the company.

Bridges with NABARD assistance

Dr. MK Muneer, Minister for works has announced that the State Public Works Department is preparing reports for constructing 200 bridges in various parts of the State with loan assistance from National Bank for Rural Development (NABARD). He stated that the state has availed projects worth of Rs.70 crores could be taken up during 2002-03 with NABARD loan.

PWD to introduce protocol for road work

Public Works Department proposes to introduce a protocol for ensuring utility serce providers like Kerala State Electricity Board, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, Kerala Water Authority complete the the laying of pipes and cables before the roads are resurfaced so as to prevent the digging of newly laid stretches by the agencies during the next one year period. This was announced by the Minister of Works, Dr MK Muneer while inaugurating the new bridge at Thampanoor on 16th December 2003.

Cherthala - Kanyakumari stretch of NH 47 to be widened

Government of India has selected the Cherthala - Kanyakumari sector of NH 47 for widening under the programme to be implemented with the assistance from Japanese Bank for International Cooperation. This was disclosed by Dr M. K. Muneer, Minister for Works, Government of Kerala while adressing at the press conference on 9th June 2003. The total project cost for developing the 205 km stretch of NH 47 would come to Rs. 1350 crores.

Extract of Budget speech by Finance Minister

Shri. K. Sankaranarayanan, Minister for Finance, Government of Kerala in his budget speech on 14th March 2003 announced that:

"Development of transport infrastructure is asine-qua-non for the economic development of Kerala. The share of Rs.273.87 crores that I have set apart under the Annual Plan in my budget for this sector reflects the important that Government attaches to this. The road projects through the State budget as well as the National Highway projects will be expeditiously implemented. Of special mention is the Kerala State Transport Project with World Bank Assistance - a prestigious project of this Government. During 2003-04 the project implementation is expected to gather further momentum. An amount of Rs.155 crores is provided in the Annual Plan for this project.

An important project that we are confident of launching shortly is the 58 km. road stretch from Mannarkulanji to Pampa at a total outlay of Rs.125 crores, with the financial and technical assistance of the Malaysian Government. The Roads and Bridges development Corporation is expected to continue its fast-track execution of its projects including the 23 Railway Over Bridges taken up on the basis of an MOU with the Railway Board.

The final report on the first phase of the Hill Highway between Kasargode and Palakkad has been prepared by NATPAC. For the first stage I am providing a sum of Rs.1 crore for meeting the initial expenses for this.

The Buildings Division of the Public Works Department will complete the construction of the High Court Complex at Ernakulam, Super speciality block of Kozhikode Medical College, Model Residential School at Chalakudy. For completion of office buildings I have provided an amount of Rs.26.43 crores under a Common Pool Office Building Construction programme. For completing buildings and quarters for judicial officers, I have set apart Rs.5.40 crores as the State's share in my budget.

Governor's Address in Kerala Legislative Assembly

The Governor of Kerala in his address to the State Legislative Assembly on 24th January 2003, announced that:

The availability of good infrastructure in the State is a prerequisite for economic progress. The Public Works Deparrtment plays a key role in this. Among the prominent projects under implementation is the Kerala State Transport Project with World Bank assistance. My Government intends to step up the scale of funds availed from NABARD for road and bridge construction. Improving the existing road network leading to Sabarimala has been accorded top priority. The Kerala Road Fund Board has also selected several vital roads for improvements.

A comprehensive plan to strengthen National Highways using bituminous macadam and asphaltic concrete is also under way and several major works have already been completed. The major works intended to be taken up next year include the Kozhikode, Alapuzha and Kollam bypasses, the Thalasserry Mahe bypass and the Railway Over Bridges at Pandanakkad and Pallikara. While 23 major works have already been completed by PWD this year, 10 more are to be completed before the end of the year. Many project reports on a number of major road links have been prepared to attract private investment on BOT or annuity basis. The construction of 38 Railway Over Bridges by the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation is making good progress. My Government intends to build the North South High Speed Access Controlled Motorway with private participation. The Thiruvananthapuram Neyyatinkara Combined Bypass - a project of vital importance to our capital city - will be completed in May 2003.

As part of infrastructure development through private participation, six PWD Rest Houses are being developed on ROMT basis. In the next year, Government intends to complete construction works of major buildings like the High Court Complex, Superspeciality Block of Medical College, Kozhikode, and the Model Residential School at Chalakudy.

Express Highway seeks investors

The proposed 512 km express highway project, connecting Thiruvananthapuram with Kasaragod will be showcased at Global Investors Meet. The project with an estimated cost of Rs. 7000 crores will give job opportunities to the tune of 25 million man days and will be completed by 2013. When completed the project would enable one to travel from southern tip of the State to the northern tip in five hours and it would be a major boost for the state economy.

A sum of Rs. 1055 crores would be set apart for rehabilitating those who would have to be shifted from the project area. The government would bear half of the project cost and private participation would be sought for mobilising the remaining amount.

PWD rest houses to be run with private participation

Government have decided to entrust the PWD Rest Houses at Munnar, Thrissur, Feroke, Ponmudi, Aluva and Vaikom to private entrepreneurs on ROMT (renovate, operate, maintain and transfer) basis for a period of upto 30 years. They would be required to run the rest houses on three star standard and to provide a specified number of rooms in each rest house for Government use. Government would be collecting concession payments from the concessionaires who had expressed interest in running the rest houses. In the first year Government would receive Rs.26.09 lakhs as annual payment and total concession payment would be Rs.782.68 lakhs. The transfer would be for 20 to 30 years. After the end of this term, the renovated rest houses were to be returned to the Government without any liabilities. The ownership of the rest houses would always remain with the Public Works Department. The entrepreneurs who had come forward to take over the management of the rest houses were non-resident Keralities.

The concession agreement in this reard had been signed with the approval of the evaluation committee and the Law Department. The transfer would be on renovate, operate, maintain and transfer (back to Government) [ROMT] basis. If the concessionaire breached any of the provisions of the agreement, the Government had the right to terminate the agreement. Other salient features of the agreement are the following:

1. The concessionaires would remit the annual concession amount in advance.
2. The concessionaires would renovate the rest houses at their own expense and raise to the designated standards.
3. The renovated rest houses would maintain three star facilities.
3. A designated number of rooms be earmarked for PWD/Government of Kerala without payment and reservations to these rooms will be made thriugh the District Collector/Executive Engineer (Buildings) of the district concerned.
4. The concessionaire shall complete all renovations, reconstruction, refurbishment within 15 months from the signing of the agreement.
5. Concession period comes into effect from the date of signing the agreement.
6. The Concessionaire is required to obtain prior approval to make any changes to the structures of the building.
7. The Concessionaire would need to obtain and maintain all applicable permits required for operation of the Rest House at his own cost.
8. At all time, the Rest House property would continue to remain the property of PWD and the concessionaire would be required to display sign boards stating that the property belongs to the PWD

Training Programme on Project Preparation for Road and bridge Projects

The National Institute for Training of Highway Engineers (NITHE) organised a training programme for Engineers of Kerala PWD on Project Preparation for Road and Bridge Projects from August 26 to September 1, 2002. Minister for Works Dr. M.K. Muneer inaugurated the programme. He stressed the need for quality system in major and minor works. He expressed the necessity for PWD Engineers becoming capable of preparing suitable project reports for obtaining financial assistance from external agencies.

Dr. M.K.Muneer inaugurates the training programme

The New Marthandavarma Bridge

The new bridge (Marthandavarma Bridge) across Periyar river at Aluva in NH 47 was commissioned on 22nd June 2002 by the Hon'ble Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, Major General B.C.Khanduri at a function presided over by Dr. M.K. Muneer, Minister for Works, Government of Kerala.This bridge will ease traffic in the busy Thrissur - Ernakulam section of NH 47.

The World Bank on 14th March 2002 approved an IBRD Loan of US$ 255 million. The agreement was formally signed on 6th May 2002 by Mr. Edwin Lim, Country Director, on behalf of the World Bank, Dr. Adarsh Kishore, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, on behalf of Government of India and Mr. Babu Jacob, Principal Secretary, Public Works Department, on behalf of Government of Kerala.

The project aims to improve traffic flow and road safety on Kerala State's primary road network, and to strengthen the institutional and financial capacity of Kerala's key transport sector agencies. The project consists of four main components:

1) The transport corridor improvement component will support upgrading of state highways, including related social and environmental mitigation measures, and rehabilitating inland water transport feeder canals.

2) The road maintenance component will provide periodic maintenance of state highways and major district roads.

3) The road safety improvement component comprises consultant services for blackspot identification, programming and designing minor improvements works for State roads, minor mitigation measures and recommendations identified through this service will be implemented through small contracts.

4) The institutional development and technical assistance (TA) component will provide services to implement the institutional strengthening action plan by appointing TA consultants in the areas of maintenance management and data collection, and developing a road management system.

The project will enhance road capacity and provide targeted safety programs designed to boost both safety and efficiency of Kerala’s roads.

The maturity period of the credit is 20 years with a grace period of 5 years.