THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One of the major hurdles in the development of state roads has been cleared with the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India, sending a letter to the World Bank seeking financial assistance for the second phase of the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP). As many as Rs 650 crore (US$ 141 million) has been sought from the World Bank for the project covering 367.40 kms. The DEA move brings much relief to the PWD as the World Bank had declared that it was backing out from the phase II project last year. ‘’This is a major breakthrough as the DEA had earlier rejected the proposal submitted by the state. The modified project has been accepted and the DEA has sent letter seeking WB recommendation,’’ said N Prasanth, project director of KSTP. The project is accepted in the 2013-14 slot. However, the PWD is hoping to take up the project next year. PWD Secretary and Project Director of KSTP will meet officials of the World Bank and Department of Economic Affairs in New Delhi next week. The project will be in annuity mode. State has decided to take up KSTP phase II as a stand-alone project. Land acquisition was the major hurdle in the first phase of KSTP. However, this won’t be a problem in the second phase as 95 per cent of land for the project has been acquired, sources in the Ministry said. Second phase of the project aims at improving eight corridors which include upgradation of 27.76-km Kasargod-Kanhangad Road, 20.90-km Pilathara-Pappinissery Road, 4.5-km Thaliparamba-Iritty Road, 53.12-km Thalassery-Valavupara Road, 132.2-km Punaloor-Ponkunnam-Thodupuzha stretch, 87-km Chengannur-Ettumanoor-Muvattupuzha stretch and 41-km Perumbilavu- attambi-Perinthalmanna Road. The KSTP works include major road construction, improvement and maintenance works as well as measures to enhance road safety, development of water transport and strengthening of institutional capabilities.
Comments
0 comment