THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The realisation that a perfect and well-connected network of roads is a basic imperative for the state’s development has prompted Finance Minister Thomas Isaac to put forth a comprehensive plan for rebuilding the road network in Kerala.
The dream of implementing a Rs 40,000-crore package for rebuilding the state’s roads is the highlight of the final budget presented by Isaac.
Dilapidated roads have been cited by the CPM as a reason for the defeat of the LDF in the local body elections. The International Congress on Kerala Studies, organised by the party here last month, also demanded the renovation of existing state and district roads. The budget proposal is in tune with these suggestions.
‘’The only solution to this problem is to change the existing mode of construction. It is time that we moved on to adopt bitumen macadam-bitumen concrete designer roads. The committee which was constituted to develop road transport policy has estimated the costs involved around Rs 40,000 crore in all,’’ Isaac said.
Pointing out the conservative fiscal policy of the Union Government, Isaac said taking loan to the tune of Rs 40,000 crore was almost impossible for the State Government.
‘’Autonomous bodies or companies controlled by the government should raise the money for this purpose. Kerala Road Fund Board and Roads and Bridges Corporation can do that,’’ Isaac said. The proposed non-banking financial company, Al-Barakah, will also pay a key role in this regard .
The announcement of Isaac sounded a bit ironical as it was the same Finance Minister who had tried to hunt down his predecessors and senior PWD officials for going ahead with KSTP and TCRIP road projects which had first introduced to the state new generation road construction technology.
Isaac announced a package of Rs 1000 crore for a series of projects this fiscal. The following state highways will be renovated this year under the package: Thenmala-Madathara (28 km), Nedumangad-Shorlakkod (37.50 km), Thiruvalla-Kozhencherry-Kumbazha (30 km), Kottayam-Kozhencherry (22.06 km), Ambalappuzha-Thiruvalla (27 km), Thrissur-Shoranur (28 km), Adoor-Sasthamcotta-Chavara (40 km), Puthiyangadi-Perambra-Nadapuram-Koothuparamba (62 km), Thanneermukkam-Vaikom-Vengallur (33.9 km) and Palarivattom-Kumarapuram (11.30 km).
In addition, 36 district roads, covering 765 km, will also be renovated. A Rs 1000-crore bypass package and junction improvement projects at various centres have also found mention in the budget speech. Routine announcements such as hill highway, coastal highway and KSTP second phase are also there in the speech.
