KOCHI: Even as the Minister for Public Works has given strict instruction to PWD officials to complete road maintenance works by October 25, many of the works are progressing on a slow pace. Repairing of badly damaged roads including stretches of state highways in the district is progressing on snail’s pace. Works have started along the Vyttila – Kunnara Park stretch and at Udayamperror along the Tripunithura – Ettumanoor state highway. “The regular problem areas are being relaid with concrete tiles and we hope to finish the works by October 31. Unlike regular road tarring, laying concrete tiles will take more time as each tile has to be fixed manually,” said Mr K.S. Sajeev, PWD assistant engineer (Tripunithura section).
“At Udayamperoor, a distance of 900 metres of the road, a regular problem area, is being laid with concrete tiles. Though the earlier plan was to lay tiles along the severely damaged 300 metres, Mr M. Swaraj MLA has asked us to extend it to 900 metres. The remaining portions of the road are being resurfaced. The total estimated cost of the works is '1.91 crore,” added the official.
A team of top officials of PWD, including superintending engineer P.S. Suja Rani and executive engineer M.P. Shabu inspected the work site on Friday. Relaying the Vyttila – Kunnara Park stretch has been included in the Sabarimala roads maintenance project. Considering the poor drainage along the stretch, the portion is being relaid with concrete tiles at a cost of Rs.1.87 crore.
