Kollam: The Kollam bypass which was inaugurated on Tuesday has not yet received the completion certificate, according to PWD Minister G. Sudhakaran. The basic safety standard, the load test, which is mandatory to ensure the strength of bridges and the road to support the vehicular traffic has also not been completed.
“The completion certificate is yet to be obtained as there are minor works pending, including electrification and installation of street lights. The inauguration was scheduled on February 2 by the state government so as to complete all these works and obtain completion certificate. The works, as of now, have been completed only technically,” he told DC.
According to the project report approved by the central government earlier, the 13-km bypass has street lights only on the bridges and approach roads, apart from high mast lights at junctions. The state government later took the initiative to install street lights on either side as well as set up of proper traffic signalling facilities. It will bear the expenses for these additions, including crash barriers. “The initial DPR of the road has been changed to incorporate these works at a cost '4 crore,” Mr. Sudhakaran added.
He condemned the controversies surrounding the inauguration of the bypass. “I admit that had not the UDF initiated the project, we could not have completed it. We have also completed several projects left halfway by the UDF government. There is no need to rake up controversies over the bypass inauguration,” he said.
