* Vision 2031: Minister presents Public Works Department policy document
The government’s goal is to make Kerala the state with the best infrastructure in the country by 2031, when the state enters its 75th year, said Public Works Minister P. A. Muhammed Riyaz. The minister was speaking at a state-level seminar of the Public Works Department organized at Aspin Court Yard on Kozhikode Beach as part of Vision 2031, presenting the department’s development policy document. The minister also said that the government is working to achieve the goal of elevating Kerala to a hub of infrastructure development by 2031.
Kerala is the state with the best road network in the country. At the same time, the minister pointed out that it also has the highest vehicle density. Kerala is working to improve the lives of the people through the construction of BM-BC roads, including in rural areas, and the development of infrastructure. The development works of Kuthiran Tunnel , Munnar-Bodimet , and Nattukal-Thanavu National Highways have also been completed. The minister said that the 125 km road renovation of Kochi-Munnar on National Highway- 85 is in progress.
The department is giving urgent priority to the commencement of works on Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road, Ernakulam Bypass, Kollam Shenkotta Greenfield and Kozhikode -Palakkad Greenfield Path with the aim of comprehensive development of Kerala. The state participation has been ensured by waiving GST and royalty in these projects. Along with this, the minister said that interventions are being made to enable the six-laning of the Thrissur-Edappally National Highway, NH 766 ( Kozhikode-Muthanga), NH 185 Adimali-Kumily and NH 183 Mundakkayam-Kumily. The minister said that the National Highways Authority is preparing the project documents for the Ramanattukara-Kozhikode Airport Road, Kannur Airport Road (Chovva-Mattannur), Kodungallur-Angamaly, Fort Vypeen Matsyafed Tourist Office Road, and Kothamangalam Muvattupuzha Bypass.
The Public Works Department maintains 29,573 km of roads in the state. The government has allocated about Rs 35,000 crore for road development projects alone. More than 8200 km of roads have been upgraded. The announcement that more than half of the public works roads will be upgraded to BM-BC standard has been implemented. Currently, 17,749.11 km of roads have been upgraded to BM-BC standard. The minister said that the aim is to strengthen Kerala’s road network by completing hill roads and coastal roads.
Smart design roads
The goal is to upgrade 100 percent of roads to modern standards with smart design by 2031. State highways will be upgraded to four-lane design roads and major district roads to two-lane design roads in a phased manner. The goal is also to construct bypasses, elevated highways and grade separators. A road network map will be prepared to connect important tourist centers and developed in accordance with the design policy. Comprehensive road connectivity in tribal areas and smart roads in cities will also be constructed.
As part of implementing sustainable construction considering the climate challenges of Kerala, technologies like reclaimed asphalt pavement and full depth reclamation will be included in the projects. The minister also said that more emphasis will be given to the use of geocell/geogrid, coir geotextile, natural rubber, etc. The department aims to transform Kerala into a global hub by integrating infrastructure such as creatively designed public spaces and transport network art and establishing roadside rest areas with good facilities. Environment, women and differently-abled friendly smart bus shelters will be constructed.
Road Safety Cell to be formed
The government’s running contract scheme for road maintenance was a major step in this area. Transparency in maintenance was ensured by installing DLP boards. This led to efficient maintenance of roads. As part of formulating a comprehensive road safety policy, modern foot over bridges and road safety activities through road carriageway AI technology will be implemented in school/hospital areas. Road Safety Cells will be formed in all districts to conduct road safety audits.
150 bridges completed
The announcement of completing 100 bridges has been made possible in three years. The minister said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will dedicate the 150th bridge to the nation on November 5 at Parasala in Thiruvananthapuram. The plan is to use advanced technologies in bridge construction, conduct efficient maintenance of bridges through structural health monitoring, and design and construct the bridge beautifully considering the tourism potential .
The goal is to build 144 railway overpasses.
The largest number of railway flyovers in the history of Kerala has been completed. Currently, 10 have been completed. Work on 25 flyovers is in progress.
The implementation of composite tender and widespread use of green building methods have brought about changes in line with the times. The main objective is to set up a BIM platform for skill development in building construction in the Public Works Department. The reuse-recycling method will be implemented in the construction sector.
The department aims to adopt advanced technologies to ensure the longevity of construction works in coastal areas. The department aims to widely utilize prefabricated construction methods, a globally recognized technology, to speed up the building construction process and reduce time and cost by improving the quality , durability , and performance of the construction.
The People’s Rest House Online Booking Scheme implemented by the Public Works Department has helped the income of rest houses reach Rs 30 crore in four years. The minister said that the aim is to build rest houses in all the major tourism and pilgrimage centres in Kerala.
Towards net zero energy
The use of environmentally friendly electric construction materials will be switched to. The development of net zero energy buildings and construction methods that are conducive to consumer friendliness will be encouraged. Efforts will be made to use solar energy. In order to protect the environment, a system that reduces visual pollution will be included in public works works. Modern fire safety infrastructure will be implemented in buildings. It is also aimed to implement a multi-level car parking system and water reuse and conservation.
Inclusive design
Public buildings will be made gender-friendly by installing electronic , information and communication technology equipment. The department is focusing on implementing ‘ inclusive design ‘ by preparing a massive ‘ data bank ‘ incorporating infrastructural development opportunities.
K-Green Rating, which is part of the green building policy, will be implemented in the state. Efforts will be made to elevate public buildings and other structures to international standards using innovative ideas, building materials and technologies. Sustainable, attractive and environmentally friendly structures that reflect the local image and culture will be promoted. It also aims to enable skill development in areas such as green building , landscape design , interior design and pre-engineered building.
KHRI will be raised to international standards
The Kerala Highway Research Institute has been able to become the most important institution in the country in the construction sector. The department aims to elevate the institution to an international standard research center and turn it into a think tank. Research will be expanded to recycle waste from the construction sector.
The administrative system will be made transparent.
To ensure transparency in the construction sector, the Minister said that the aim is to continuously and comprehensively reform the manuals of the e-office system , consistency monitoring team , district-level DICCs, etc., in a timely manner. Along with this, the Minister also aims to implement a performance-based grading system for contractors to make the work more efficient.
