The total estimated road damage caused due to the monsoon has been estimated at Rs 300 crore, said PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju. He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a conference here in Kochi on Saturday. “The state received hundred per cent rainfall this monsoon, which has resulted in the bad condition of the roads. Maintenance of the roads will take place once the rain subsides. However, steps to renovate the roads will be undertaken immediately”, the minister said. He told reporters here that the PWD has sanctioned Rs 145 crore for the renovation of roads. An imprest sum of Rs 50,000 allotted to assistant engineer has been set aside for the development of the roads, he told reporters here. Those engineers who fail to make use of these funds properly will be penalised, the Minister reiterated. “Most of the PWD roads have been guaranteed for six months to 5 years. If in this period of time, the roads are subject to damage, the duty to renovate the roads will fall on the contractors themselves. He said that PWD roads have not faced much damage compared to the other roads in the state. Heavy vehicles passing through the roads and a lack of drainage on road sides are the reasons why roads in the state become damaged easily.
Ibrahim Kunju added that the Kerala Water Authority officials fail to coordinate with the PWD or any other department prior to opening the roads for laying their pipeline. “We can easily file a criminal case against the KWA in this regard. However, we are not taking any action in this regard”, he added. Ibrahim Kunju meanwhile replied that the National Highways Authority of India (NHA) is often acting against the interests of the state.