Keralam constitutes panel to prepare 10-year master plan for road, junction, flyover, bypass development
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The State government has constituted a committee to scientifically study and prioritise road development projects, including the development of major junctions, flyover construction, and new bypasses across the State. The committee’s primary responsibility will be to prepare a priority list and an operational model for the projects to be undertaken by the government over the next 10 years.
According to a government order issued by the Public Works department Secretary, the State’s road and bridge network requires continuous assessment and timely intervention to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable connectivity.
Given the varying traffic requirements, road and bridge conditions, structural safety considerations, and emerging development needs, the State requires a coordinated and need-based approach for identifying and prioritising renovation and improvement works. Effective coordination among the agencies concerned is also necessary to avoid duplication of efforts.
Against this backdrop, the government has constituted a 10-member panel chaired by retired civil servant Shajahan and PWD Additional Secretary Vinod V.R. as the convener. The panel will include Chief Engineers of the PWD’s Roads, Bridges and Design wings; managing director of the Kerala State Transport Project; and representatives of the Kerala Highway Research Institute, the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre, and the Transportation Engineering Division of the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram. The Under Secretary of the PWD will also be a member.
The committee will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the road and bridge network and recommend suitable interventions based on traffic requirements, road conditions, structural safety, connectivity, and future development needs. It will submit its report to the government within two months.
Based on the committee’s recommendations and following the completion of the necessary technical and administrative procedures, the identified projects will be taken up by the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) for implementation. The KRFB will coordinate the subsequent stages, including project preparation, approvals, execution, and monitoring.
The projects will be categorised as large, medium, and small projects based on the financial and technical specifications laid down by the KHRI. Relevant studies and reports will also be considered before finalising the recommendations, according to the order.
According to PWD Minister P.K. Basheer, road safety should receive serious attention while undertaking the works. Major road safety interventions will be compiled with a particular focus on pedestrian access and safety. The committee will also make recommendations on road furniture, its maintenance, and aesthetics, he said.
The government has now initiated a process of preparing a long-term priority list for road and bridge development in the State based on factors such as traffic requirements, safety, connectivity, and future development, rather than considering projects in isolation, Mr Basheer added.
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