THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Public Works minister V. K. Ebrahim Kunju on Tuesday announced in the Assembly a series of projects to improve the state’s road networks.
While the National Highway will get Rs 1,000 crore, the Central Road Fund (CRF) projects get Rs 318 crore, the 500-km bituminous macadam and bituminous concrete road works Rs 500 crore and rural road works Rs 400 crore.
Replying to the discussions on his department’s demand for grants, Mr Kunju said all national highways except NH 47 would be included in the Rs 1,000 crore two-lane highway corridor project. Similarly, with the help of CRF, 16 roads of 257.4 km together and three bridges would be constructed at a cost of Rs 318 crore.
Since the last four years, Rs 518 crore was earmarked for corporation roads including those coming under the local bodies.
But with the civic polls round the corner and the general elections less than a year away, the UDF government is spending Rs 400 crore on the city roads.
“Apart from these, World Bank has promised to overlay 151 km as part of the first stage of the Kerala State Transport Project. An amount of Rs 173.37 crore has been earmarked for this and works would begin soon,” he said.
At least 55 roads with a total length of 984 km would be developed in three stages at a cost of Rs 3706.3 crore with the help of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
