PWD sore about Highway Authorities' decision
By Express News Service
08th August 2010 05:25 AM
THIRUVANATHAPURAM :The unexpected decision of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to scrap the development project for Cherthala-Thiruvananthapuram stretch of the NH-47 is being viewed by top PWD officials in the State as a bid to mount pressure on the State to toe the line of the NHAI with regard to the specifications of the new road.
The decision to scrap only one project and go ahead with all others is a clear indication of this strategy, sources said. The reason for scrapping the development of 169 kms of NH in southern Kerala is said to be the stiff opposition from the public and people’s representatives of the State against the BOT system and the 45-metre width. But, these factors are there in the other stretches of the NH-47 and the NH-17 which will be developed as part of the National Highway Development Programme.
The NHAI has inducted clear riders to ensure 45-metre width for these stretches and the BOT system. The idea is to make the State Government accept the 45-metre width and BOT system for NH-17 and the northern stretches of NH-47. If that happens, then copying the same model for the Cherthala-Thiruvananthapuram stretch would not be difficult, said sources. An immediate response of the Government to the NHAI decision was not known as PWD Minister M. Vijayakumar is in Vijayawada attending the extended Central Committee meeting of the CPM. However, sources close to the Minister told `Express’ that the issue would be discussed in detail during the all-party meeting scheduled on August 17.
The State Government is likely to invite Union Minister of State for Surface Transport RPN Singh and NHAI chairman Brajeswar Singh to the meeting. But, a final decision will be taken only after Vijayakumar returns from Vijayawada. If the Authority sticks to its stand with regard to the NH-47, the State Government will land in a difficult situation.
The decision of the NHAI to cancel even the detailed project means that the State PWD has to start it from the very first step. That is, a fresh DPR and a fresh tendering process need to be initiated by the government. As the project lags further, the number of displacements will also be high. The effort of the State PWD, on August 17, will be to make a way out of this imbroglio.
The decision to scrap only one project and go ahead with all others is a clear indication of this strategy, sources said. The reason for scrapping the development of 169 kms of NH in southern Kerala is said to be the stiff opposition from the public and people’s representatives of the State against the BOT system and the 45-metre width. But, these factors are there in the other stretches of the NH-47 and the NH-17 which will be developed as part of the National Highway Development Programme.
The NHAI has inducted clear riders to ensure 45-metre width for these stretches and the BOT system. The idea is to make the State Government accept the 45-metre width and BOT system for NH-17 and the northern stretches of NH-47. If that happens, then copying the same model for the Cherthala-Thiruvananthapuram stretch would not be difficult, said sources. An immediate response of the Government to the NHAI decision was not known as PWD Minister M. Vijayakumar is in Vijayawada attending the extended Central Committee meeting of the CPM. However, sources close to the Minister told `Express’ that the issue would be discussed in detail during the all-party meeting scheduled on August 17.
The State Government is likely to invite Union Minister of State for Surface Transport RPN Singh and NHAI chairman Brajeswar Singh to the meeting. But, a final decision will be taken only after Vijayakumar returns from Vijayawada. If the Authority sticks to its stand with regard to the NH-47, the State Government will land in a difficult situation.
The decision of the NHAI to cancel even the detailed project means that the State PWD has to start it from the very first step. That is, a fresh DPR and a fresh tendering process need to be initiated by the government. As the project lags further, the number of displacements will also be high. The effort of the State PWD, on August 17, will be to make a way out of this imbroglio.
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