Kerala allocates Rs 1,454 crore for roads and bridges

Kerala has allocated Rs 1,454 crore for the construction of roads and bridges. A sum of Rs 50 crore will reportedly be made available to PWD  for major projects under a single head. According to reports, around 29 works have been awarded sanctions worth Rs 396 crore. Further, approvals for 16 more works costing Rs 234 crore is expected during FY2018-19. Another 64 new projects worth Rs 600 crore have reportedly been prepared for submission, while a sum of Rs 510 crore has been earmarked for the second phase work of Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP). The state has allocated a separate sum of Rs 110 crore for state highways and district roads. The Kerala Government plans to construct a major portion of the roads using plastic or rubberised bitumen. Out of the Rs 700 crore required for the Kollam and Alappuzha bypass, half – Rs 350 crore – will be spent by the state government. Among the other projects that the state government plans to undertake are the construction of the Airport-Seaport Road that will be exedited. Similarly, the state government also plans to prepare a detailed project report for constructing a mobility hub in Kozhikode on the lines of the Vytilla Mobility Hub. Further, the Budget has allocated Rs 110 crore for ports department. While no allocation has been made for the multi-crore Vizhinjam seaport project, the funds will be raised through loans by the Vizhinjam International Seaport (VISL). A sum of Rs 77 crore has reportedly been earmarked for the development of medium-level ports at Azheekkal, Beypore, Kollam, Vizhinjam (the small feeder port) and Kodungallur. Attempts are being made to find funds for small ports from the Centre’s Sagaramala Scheme.