Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Ltd yet to finish road works

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the deadline for handing over all the roads that were developed as part of the first stage of the City Roads Improvement Project-1 (CRIP-1) to the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) looming, Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Ltd (TRDCL) is yet to complete over 20% of the works.
With just 13 days remaining for the deadline, TRDCL is yet to complete works, including overlaying of roads, installation of road signs, painting of handrail, footpath renovation, etc.
The first stage of CRIP-1 is being developing 14-km roads, including Museum-Nandavanam (460m), LMS to Manmohan Bungalow (1.740km), LMS to VJT Junction (740m), Manmohan Bungalow to Kowdiar (700m), Poonthi NH-Bypass Road (3km) and Airport-Palayam Road (7 km).
The resurfacing of Vellayambalam roundabout, Poonthi Road, Museum-Nandavanam Road and some portions of Airport-Palayam Road are yet to be finished. Of the 14-km stretch, the overlaying work of nearly 12-km road is over. But road marking, installing reflectors, streetlights and sign boards, painting of handrail, footpath works etc. are yet to be finished.
An official of TRDCL said that all the works would be finished in a couple of days and the roads would be handed over to KRFB on time.
The official also blamed the Kerala Water Authority’s (KWA) never-ending maintenance works for the difficulty in finishing the work on time.
“We cannot start the works in Poonthi Road until and unless KWA finishes their works,” said the official.
Once TRDCL hands over the roads, KRFB has to examine the quality of the works done through certain tests and give it clearance. Once clearance is issued, the roads will be handed over to the Public Works Department (PWD). The 15-year term of the roads developed in the first stage of CRIP-1 will end on July 4 and the other roads included in the next three stages of CRIP-1 will also be handed over in 2027, 2030 and 2031 when the 15-year term ends.