T'Puram: A bad road has the power to change a government. Sensing the importance of having good roads, the government is all set for a massive road re-building process under State Road Improvement Project (SRIP). Unlike surface maintenance, the SRIP will undertake entire makeover of the existing roads.
Talking to Express, PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju said around 1000 km of State Highways and major district roads will be renovated under SRIP, the cost of which is around Rs 5100 crore. “The Kerala Road Fund Board is the executing agency of SRIP. The roads will be renovated based on the standards set by Indian Road Congress. The works include rebuilding of the existing roads, geometric correction, construction of footpaths and shoulders, introduction of pedestrian safety measures, street lights and signal junctions,” he said.
A special purpose vehicle (SPV) has been formed for the implementation of project with the government having 51 percent stake and KRFB 49 percent.
“Since the SRIP aims at renovation of existing roads, land acquisition-related problems will be less. Bangalore-based Wilbur Smith is entrusted with the task of identifying the 1000 km road which needs renovation. The roads will be selected based on various aspects like volume of traffic, linkage to places of importance, tourism spots etc. Wilbur Smith will submit the report in three months,” the minister said.
The second phase will begin after identification of areas. Almost 2-3 years will require for land acquisition. The state government has granted Rs 200 crore for the land acquisition. Around Rs 1000 crore will be allocated by the state government. The rest Rs 4000 crore will be raised by the KRFB through various loans, infrastructure bonds and PPP. The KRFB has initiated talks with Asian Development Bank (ADB) through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Department of Economic Affairs. Ebrahim Kunju said the project is expect to complete in 5 years. The project will be in annuity mode.
Owning to poor allocation of funds, PWD roads are left with periodical make up, which gets washed away in rain. The Rs 5100-crore SRIP is expected to bring a lasting solution to the dilapidated condition of State roads.
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