Works Minister promises weather-proof roads

KOCHI: The Public Works Department would adopt modern practices in the laying of roads and regular review meetings would be held every three months, from July 4 in Malappuram, Public Works Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju said on Tuesday.Referring to the practice of blaming rain for the sorry state of roads in the state, the minister said the PWD was aiming to make all roads in the state weather-proof and feedback from the public would be collected during the review meetings.  Meetings will be held in Palakkad and Thrissur on July 5, in Kannur on July 7, Ernakulam, July 16, Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, July 21, Idukki, July 22, Kottayam, July 25, Alappuzha, 26, Kasargod, July 28 and Wayanad,  July 29.The government was planning to seek the help of NABARD in the laying of roads and bridges in villages and loans would be taken in selective cases, he said at a review meeting here.The PWD executive engineers of the respective districts had been directed to organise the meetings, he said. The details of the work taken up should be provided to the minister during such meetings, he said.The participation of district panchayat presidents, people’s representatives and national highways authorities should be ensured, he said.PWD secretary Manoj Joshi and other senior officials were present at the function.