Kochi: The state government is considering closing down the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation (RBDCK) which “failed miserably” in executing the Palarivattom flyover project, PWD minister G. Sudhakaran has said.
“What is the need for such an organisation,” asked the minister through his social media handle. “It’s executing no project that the public works department (PWD) is unable to carry out. Worse, the projects are being implemented at twice or thrice the cost at which the PWD is carrying out similar projects, resulting in unwanted financial loss as in the case of Palarivattom.”
The reconstruction of Rs 42 crore Palarivattom flyover will be done by the PWD and the RBDCK need not bother about further works. “This government has formed a bridges division which along with the NH wing will carry out the repair works. DMRC principal adviser E. Sreedharan will monitor the works, which will take a year and roughly cost around Rs 17 to 20 crore,” the minister said.
Mr Sudhakaran added the PWD is in the process of taking over all the bridges constructed by the RBDCK and will stop the toll collection in them. “I’ve already issued an order in this regard,” he said.
The minister also lashed at design consultant KITCO and the contractor RDS Ltd. “The contractor is also responsible for over two years delay in completing the Alappuzha bypass project,” the minister said.
Noting that the government will continue to act tough against corruption, Mr Sudhakaran charged that there is a deliberate attempt to paint the government in bad light, especially from a small section of media.
