THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The World Bank Mission which inspected the Chengannur-Ettumanoor road has suggested the development of a parallel road for the smooth flow of traffic. The World Bank Mission had a meeting with the Public Works Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju, here on Wednesday.The team, headed by senior Transport Engineer Simon Ellis, said that the existing road needed to be developed to a four-lane considering the volume of traffic in the area.As land acquisition is a major hurdle, a proposal to develop a parallel road was mooted by the WB team. As per this proposal, 40-km stretch of Thiruvalla-Perumthuruthy-Thengana-Vakathanam-Njaliakuzhy-Puthuppally-Manarcad-Kidangoor-Pala will be included in the phase II works of Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP). The World Bank team had agreed to fund for the heavy maintenance of around 500 km road in the state the other day. This is in addition to the upgradation of 376-km road proposed under the phase II. Also, a 10-year maintenance contract too was included in the project. Now the cost of the project has escalated to `2,500 crore. Fund sought for KSTP phase II originally was `1,356 crore. According to the Public Works Minister, the works of first phase will begin within six months. “Kasargod-Kanhangad road, Pilathara-Pappinissery road and Thaliparamba-Iritty road will be upgraded as part of the first phase. The works will be completed within two months,” he said. Tender proceedings are expected to be completed by May.The World Bank team also promised to fund a hi-tech building for the PWD. The six-storey building is likely to come up at PMG here.According to PWD sources, the World Bank team has expressed satisfaction in the KSTP phase I. The team has agreed to fund more projects in the state.Apart from PWD Minister, PWD secretary Manoj Joshi, KSTP project director N Prasanth and chief engineer Pennamma held talks with the 11-member World Bank team.
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