THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Public Works Department (PWD) will join hands with other departments for the pre-monsoon cleaning drive by allocating `38 crore for renovating drains and roads, including National Highways in the state.
The decision on allocating the fund was taken by newly appointed PWD Minister G Sudhakaran after discussing it with top officials and other ministries.
Addressing a press conference, Sudhakaran said that the department had been told to allot `19 crore from the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation and another `19 crore from the National Highways wing of the PWD Department.
“In the wake of the decision taken by the Cabinet and the various initiatives taken by ministries, the PWD is also gearing up to launch the pre-monsoon cleaning drive by cleaning all the drains and repairing the roads. It will be done with the co-ordination of local self-governments. Hence I had a discussion with LSG Minister K T Jaleel in this regard and hope to finish the works within 10 days”, Sudhakaran said.
He also added that the renovation of roads would focus on repairing the shoulders of the National Highways as the shoulders were built four inch lower than the main surface which was posing danger to motorists.
Coming down heavily on the previous UDF government, Sudhakaran said that the government had made the exchequer empty through the PWD Department. When asked about the pitiable condition of the roads in the city owing to the laying of cables by Reliance, Sudhakaran said that he would take measures against the company if the government found that they were laying cables unscientifically.
He further said that the Pinarayi-led LDF government was committed to providing a corruption-free administration.
District-wise break-up of fund allocation
Thiruvananthapuram - L1.75 crore
Kollam - L1.50 crore
Pathanamthitta - L1 crore
Alappuzha - L1.75 crore
Kottayam - L1 crore
Idukki - L1 crore
Ernakulam - L1.50 crore
Thrissur - L1.50 crore
Palakkad - L1.50 crore
Malappuram - L1.50 crore
Kozhikode - L1.25 crore
Wayanad - L1 crore
Kannur - L1.75 crore
Kasargod - L1 crore