PWD to use Spanish, Portuguese knowhow for roads

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Public Works Department (PWD) will make use of Spanish and Portuguese technologies for the upgradation of roads in Kerala.The initial focus will be for the maintenance of the roads taking into account their present condition. A project report will be prepared in this regard and submitted to the government soon.PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju and a team of officials from the PWD visited both the countries to study the quality of road laying. The Minister said that both the countries are in the forefront of ensuring quality infrastructure."All the roads and bridges are of international standards and they are maintained well. Discussions were held with several companies and consultants in this regard,’’ he said.According to the Minister, the focus of those companies are on research and development. Around one-third of the office space are used for research activities which have shown results.Some of the activities and technologies used in these countries will be replicated in Kerala. The technology used there is to utilise the maximum space for transportation.The crash carriers and marking on the roads, which reduces accidents, can be used in Kerala too. The support of both the governments through the Indian Embassies have been extended to the team.PWD chief engineer K Baburaj, who was among the team, said that lack of drainage system on the sides of the roads are the biggest problem in Kerala. The roads often gets damaged as there are no proper system to drain the rainwater.In Spain and Portugal, the roads are maintained in a good condition with the help of several supporting factors, including drainage. PWD will prepare a maintenance strategy for roads in Kerala and submit it to the government.  Guarantee for roads will be ensured in all the major road works in Kerala.The 73-km stretch of the Sabarimala road has a five-year guarantee.