Keen to incorporate the latest technology in constructing roads, the state government will look into the possibility of amending the Kerala Public Works Department manual.
Though the manual was revised in March 2012, there were complaints that further amendments of the manual are essential for ensuring quality in the sector.
“We have not disbanded the expert committee that was constituted last year for the amendments of the manual. Necessary amendments will be made by the same committee to ensure more quality and durability of the roads,” Works Minister V K Ibrahim Kunju said.
Steps will be taken soon to launch advanced technologies, including white topping, to increase the life of roads. White topping is a mix of concrete and gravel laid above the tarred surface, he said.
“In the pilot phase, the stretch from HMT Junction to Manalimukku in Kalamassery municipality will be laid with white topping,” he said.
“The amendments will mainly aim at including white topping and similar technologies in the manual,” he said.
The state government too in its budget has proposed to promote the usage of plastic while tarring roads and has announced that the panchayats and residents’ associations, which will collect and hand over plastic for road tarring, will be given up to `5 lakh as subsidy.
“The clause allowing to use plastic and rubber for road tarring will be included in the amended PWD manual,” the Minister added.
Welcoming the move, Town Planning experts said that the manual should be amended on a timely basis in tune with the rapidly changing technology.
“For instance, the conventional way of repairing roads is not feasible for cities which are geographically diverse. It is time to move to modern concepts, including the construction of designer roads for each city according to its geographic diversity,” said Kochi Corporation Town Planning Committee Chairman and former mayor K J Sohan.