THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Public Works Department (PWD) took charge of 8,570-km roads, which were under the Local Self-Government (LSG). Maintenance of this 8,570-km roads is part of the seven-point programme announced by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
The PWD has earmarked Rs 140 crore for resurfacing works. For tarring and other works, another Rs 1,508 crore has been set aside.
In total, Rs 1,648 crore would be the additional expenditure for the PWD for these works. According to PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju, though there would be additional expense for the works, the PWD took up the control as the local bodies failed to maintain the roads on time.
“The maintenance works would begin soon. The PWD would take up new roads in a phased manner,” he said.
Among the districts, Kozhikode tops the list with 1,135-km roads.
The PWD also took charge of roads in Thiruvananthapuram (948.492 km), Kollam (306.845 km), Pathanamthitta (745.72km), Alappuzha (270.638 km), Kottayam (432.539 km), Idukki (450.706 km), Ernakulam-Muvattupuzha division (620.830 km), Ernakulam division (449.937 km), Thrissur (390.153 km), Palakkad (588.543 km), Malappuram (879.687 km), Wayanad (262.962 km), Kannur (560.041 km) and Kasargod (527.610 km). Renovation work in most of the roads in Thiruvananthapuram (338) has been taken up by the PWD.
The number of roads in other districts are Kollam (101), Pathanamthitta (177), Alappuzha (61), Kottayam (74), Idukki (72), Ernakulam-Muvattupuzha division (124), Ernakulam division (169), Thrissur (100), Palakkad (99), Malappuram (186), Kozhikode (205), Wayanad (37), Kannur (93) and Kasargod (96).