Six modernised roads for Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for a systematic way to tackle the increasing traffic issues in the state. “In the last one year,  8.5 lakh new vehicles were registered in the state, resulting in  traffic congestion.  A total of 1.2 crore vehicles are plying on the  state roads,” he said.   He was  inaugurating the first phase of the city road development project, which included six major roads here.  It was implemented at a cost of Rs 138 crore.

Mr Vijayan said  this year’s budget had set apart  Rs 40,000 crore for various development projects and the priority was  given for roads, bridges and flyovers. The government was  ready  with Rs 12,600 crore to kickstart various activities, he said. Last year, 4,287 people died in  road accidents, in which the majority were  between the age group of 20- 25.  One major reason was the pathetic condition of the roads which the government was rectifying now.   Vested  interests had hindered the development of the state.

“But we will showcase the state as a model for development,” he  added. The work completed includes, Stadium-Puthiyara, Karaparamba-Kalluthankkadavu, Kovoor-Vellimadukunnu, Gandhi road-minibypass, Panathuthazham-CWRDM and Pushpa Junction-Mankavu. The Karaparamba-Kalluthankkadavu road was converted to four-lane carriageway and the other roads were widened to 10 metres. A total of 22.4 km was  modernised.

“The second phase will include nine roads, for which an initial amount of Rs 100 crore has been sanctioned already,” said   Mr  A. Pradeep Kumar MLA, who presented a report on the  project.   The  Mananchira- Vellimadukunnu road work was delayed due to the acquisition procedures. Steps were taken to speed up the work, he said. The  Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society, which  completed the work four months before the deadline, received praise from the chief minister and others at the function.