Decks cleared for last corridor of KSTP-II.

Overcoming a slew of issues since the World Bank-funded Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP)-Phase II was kicked off in June 2013, the last of the eight corridors has been tendered.

The State has invited national competitive bids for the maintenance and construction of 41 km Perumbilavu-Pattambi- Perinthalmanna stretch that passes through the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram districts.

Civil works in six corridors being developed in KSTP Phase II are progressing to achieve the scheduled target of completion in July 2018. Official sources said the pre-bid conference for the Perumbilavu-Perinthalmanna corridor is scheduled for October 12 in the capital. The bid can be submitted till October 30.

The authorities had to terminate the contract for the 54 km Thalaserry- Valavupara road due to non-performance of the contractor who was awarded the work. The contract with M/s SACYR-ESSAR JV, Mumbai was terminated as they could achieve only 7 per cent in two years.

The work in this package had been split into two packages to take the project forward. The stretch is being developed as package III A, 31 km road from Thalassery to Kalarod, and III B, 23 km from Kalarod to Valavupara.

Getting mandatory clearances from the Pollution Control Board, Mining and Geology Department, and local bodies for erecting plants and crushers and shortage of machinery and labour force have hindered the progress till August.

Official sources said all clearances have now been obtained and that problems had been sorted out. The contractors had been asked to speed up works as the milestones I, II and III were revised by the steering committee and approved by the State.

Former Chief Secretary Babu Jacob has been roped into the project and he has taken over as the Client Executive Program Sponsor. As Principal Secretary, PWD, Mr. Jacob had vast experience in the development of roads in the State and in untying the knots of KSTP-Phase I.

The project aims at the upgrade of 367 km of State Highways to global standards at a cost of Rs.2,403 crore. The corridors being developed include Kasaragod- Kanhangad (27.78 km), Pilathara- Pappinissery (20.90 km), Taliparamba- Iritty (45 km); Chengannur- Ettumanur (47 km); Ettumanur- Muvattupuzha (40.9 km), and Punalur- Ponkunnam- Thodupuzha (PM Road) (132.22 km).

THE HINDU