Thiruvananthapuram: In the first-ever ‘Bridges Survey’ conducted by the PWD it has been found that 365 bridges in the state were in such grave condition that they required emergency maintenance. “This is cause for great concern,” PWD minister G. Sudhakaran said in the Assembly on Wednesday, while replying to the discussion on Demands for Grants in the Budget. “Of the 2209 bridges in the state, only 606 bridges are in fine condition. The amazing this is ten of them are more than 100 years old,” the minister said.
The most number of faulty bridges were in Alappuzha (44) and Kozhikode (42). Some of the reasons identified for the poor state of bridges are: old age, proliferation of heavy vehicles, defects.....in construction, design faults, poor maintenance, sand mining from rivers and lakes, floods, and earthquake. The minister said that considering the importance of the issue, a chief engineer will be appointed exclusively for bridges. “Till the post is created, a chief engineer has been asked to hold charge to look after issues related to bridges,” the minister said.
Mr Sudhakaran said that corruption would not be tolerated in PWD. “Action has been taken against 105 officials after the LDF came to power,” the minister said. He said that the PWD would also conduct a social audit of its assets across the state. “Committees will be formed at the state, district and Assembly levels for the purpose,” he said. While taking part in the discussion, CPM MLA A Pradeepkumar alleged that former PWD minister V K Ibrahim Kunju practiced the worst form of discrimination. “While his constituency got works worth over Rs 200 crore, many CPM constituencies received money in single figures,” he said. G Sudhakaran said there would be no such discrimination under his watch. He also reminded Ibrahim Kunju that almost all the orders issued by then PWD secretary T O Sooraj were illegal.
