DPR for development of NHs handed over to Govt

Kochi, Sep 5 (UNI) The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has handed over the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for development of NH47 and NH17 to the Kerala Government for finalisation of alignments for their expansion, State PWD Minister Mons Joseph today said..

The development involves conversion of 837 kms of both the highways into four-lane roads, Mr Joseph told reporters here.

The NHAI had given the DPR to the government with the proposed alignments for the highways and the State would decide on the final alignments and present a report to the Authority shortly.

The Minister said the main problems for the development was land acquisition and fixing alignments for the conversions.

The Minister and senior PWD officials held discussions with the NHAI Chairman Gokul Ram and others officers on the modalities for the conversion.

'' NHAI had categorically stated the width of the roads having four-lanes should not be less than 45m, though it was 60m for other States,'' he noted.

Considering the population density and paucity of land in the State, NHAI had fixed the road width at 45m, he added.

Mr Joseph said district-level meetings under the Collectors concerned would be convened before finally fixing the alignments for the development of the roads.

On the disbursement of arrears to contractors, the Minister said Rs 116.82 crore was released today and just Rs 285 crore was pending.

UNI MA GM SY RK1825