Roads developed in the first phase of the World Bank-aided Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) in the State are to be relaid to withstand the vagaries of weather and further enhance riding comfort.
The KSTP authorities have agreed to take up, initially, the relaying of an 80- km stretch from Thiruvananthapuram along M.C. Road, Arnab Bandyopadhyay, Task Team leader of World Bank, told The Hindu here. As much as 257 km of roads was developed in the first phase.
The stretch includes 77 km from Vettu Road near Kazhakuttam to Adoor in Pathanamthitta district that has been identified for the safe-corridor road safety project in the ongoing second phase of the KSTP.
Mr. Bandyopadhayay said the World Bank mission also wanted the KSTP to take up the relaying of the remaining road corridors developed in phase I. Official sources said the KSTP needed to prepare a detailed report for taking up the work.
A majority of the corridors were developed and thrown open to vehicular traffic in 2002 and 2003, and had completed 11 to 12 years without many problems. A black topping was provided on some stretches along with heavy maintenance on 41 km of roads three years ago to prevent seepage of water and improve riding comfort.
Mr. Bandyopadhyay said road signage on these corridors would have to be changed as complaints had been received from road users about the poor upkeep and lack of visibility.
Compared to the Rs.4.5 crore needed for developing one km as per the KSTP standards, it is estimated that the relaying of one km will cost Rs.50 to Rs.60 lakh.
