Latest news with #KRFB
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Kavalam-Thattassery bridge: revised estimate gets KIIFB nod
The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) has approved a revised estimate of ₹63.59 crore for the construction of the Kavalam-Thattassery bridge across the Pampa river in Kuttanad. Earlier, KIIFB had given financial approval for ₹60.03 crore. However, a revision in the schedule of rates by the Public Works department prevented the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB), which has been entrusted with the bridge construction, from proceeding to the tendering stage. 'We will soon launch the tendering process. The work is expected to be awarded in two months,' said a KRFB official. Financial approval Though land acquisition was completed in 2023, the delay in receiving the final nod from KIIFB had stalled the project. While KIIFB granted financial approval two months ago, the revision of the schedule of rates necessitated the estimate to be revised, causing further delay. In 2016, the State government had allocated ₹30 crore for constructing the bridge and approach roads. Later, the project cost was increased to ₹52 crore. Initially, authorities planned to acquire the land needed through direct negotiated purchase. However, some landowners demanded a change in alignment. As the alignment was fixed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India, officials rejected the request. Later, the Revenue department dropped the plan to acquire land through negotiated purchase. By November 2018, the department announced that the land would be acquired by invoking the Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act. Landowners were given time until December 1, 2018, to hand over consent letters. However, no follow-up action was initiated until 2020. After prolonged delays and protests led by a people's committee, more than an acre of land in Kavalam and Kunnumma villages was acquired for the project. Demolition of structures was completed in 2024. Nevertheless, the project remained stalled due to the pending clearance from KIIFB. Cost escalation The project cost increased due to cost escalation. The bridge will be approximately 400 m long and 8.5 m wide. Once completed, the bridge will connect the Alappuzha-Changanassery (AC) road and the Main Central (MC) road. It will help reduce the distance between Alappuzha and Kottayam by around 9 km. It will also facilitate development in Kuttanad's remote areas.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
12 smart roads inaugurated in Thiruvananthapuram city as part of infrastructure boost
Thiruvananthapuram: A total of 12 smart roads, developed as part of a major infrastructure development initiative in the city, were inaugurated on Friday. The event, held at Manaveeyam Veedhi, was presided over by minister for general education V Sivankutty , who formally opened the roads in the absence of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The chief minister cancelled all scheduled public events by Friday noon. Along with the event, 60 roads renovated by the public works department (PWD) across all 14 districts were also inaugurated virtually, marking a significant step in the state's infrastructure goals. Meanwhile, the BJP councillors staged a protest during the event, alleging that the state govt was claiming credit for a project that is fundamentally a part of the Union govt's Smart City initiative . They demanded due recognition for the central govt's financial and administrative support in implementing the smart city features. Speaking at the function, minister V Sivankutty described the roads, developed under the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) for smart city initiative, as lifelines of the state. "These roads are not just physical infrastructure, but pathways to a vibrant, more energetic future," he said. The minister emphasised that under state govt, road construction is being carried out with a long-term vision, transforming mobility across Kerala. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo Calling it a proud and historic day for the state, Sivankutty lauded the combined efforts of the public works department (PWD) and KRFB in delivering world-class infrastructure. He said that these improvements will ensure smoother travel, enhanced safety and better civic amenities. In the state capital, 12 smart roads have been completed with features that reflect Kerala's vision for a technologically integrated and sustainable future. These roads include modern street lighting, tiled footpaths, upgraded stormwater drains, underground ducts for electrical cables and separate chambers for water and sewage lines. Cycle tracks have also been included to promote green mobility. The roads have been built considering future urban growth, including the integration of upcoming buildings over the next five years, the minister said. PWD minister P A Mohamed Riyas said that these roads have been designed with long-term urban planning in mind. He stressed that smart road infrastructure will no longer require repeated digging for utility repairs. "Dedicated ducts and special maintenance chambers have been installed to carry out works without damaging the roads," he noted. The event was also attended by food and civil supplies minister G R Anil, forest minister A K Saseendran, mayor Arya Rajendran, MLAs Antony Raju, V K Prasanth, V Joy, ward councillor Rakhi Ravikumar, PWD secretary K Biju and chief engineer Ajith Ramachandran.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt set to approve title for Vattiyoorkavu Jn devpt plan
Thiruvananthapuram: State govt is set to approve nomenclature for development of the Vattiyoorkavu Junction and Road Development, which will further speed up the project. Initially titled ' Vattiyoorkavu Junction Development ', the project was later expanded to include road development from Sasthamangalam to Mannarakonam via Vattiyoorkavu. Hence, the govt earlier instructed that the project should be officially named 'Vattiyoorkavu Road and Junction Development.'The finance department also categorically informed the implementing agency, Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB), that they could proceed with floating a tender only after changing the name of the project. The project was delayed for several months due to this to Vattiyoorkavu MLA, V K Prasanth, who is overseeing the project, the finance department is expected to approve the nomenclature this week so that the KRFB can float a tender for the construction by the end of this month. The file regarding the project is currently at the finance department. "Currently, 55% of the demolition works are completed. The demolition is expected to be completed by next month and so that the construction can start in July," Prasanth has set a 70-day deadline for completion of demolitions. The project, estimated to cost Rs 385 crore, has already faced delays due to various administrative Vattiyoorkavu development initiative has been divided into three major sections to streamline execution. The first section covers the stretch from Sasthamangalam to Mannarakonam via Maruthankuzhy. The second section extends from Mannarakonam to Peroorkada via Mannamoola, while the third section connects Vattiyoorkavu to Vazhayila via Nettayam. To support businesses affected by the expansion, a shopping complex will be built from Mannarakonam to Thoppumukku, accommodating over 200 establishments. Approximately 570 businesses will be impacted, with the govt acquiring three acres of land to facilitate their public works department (PWD) is overseeing the expansion of the 10.75km Sasthamangalam-Vattiyoorkavu-Peroorkada road. The road will be widened to 18.5m and designed as a four-lane stretch with a 0.5m median to ensure smoother traffic flow and enhanced safety for commuters.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kumbalam-Thevara bridge construction to begin soon
Kochi: Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) has informed that construction works of the proposed Kumbalam-Thevara bridge will begin soon. Board officials have stated that land acquisition procedures for the approach road are nearing completion and construction can start within receiving a budgetary allocation from state govt in 2016, the project faced delays due to opposition from Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Initially, govt proposed a straight bridge connecting Kumbalam to Thevara ferry. However, IWAI objected, arguing that the bridge's pillars would hinder the smooth passage of vessels. Following this, the alignment was modified to address IWAI's bridge is expected to reduce travel distance between Kumbalam and Thevara by nearly 10km, cutting the travel time on the route by half an hour. It is also expected to reduce traffic congestion on various city routes to a certain extent. The bridge will provide residents of Kumbalam, Aroor, Nettoor and Thevara with easier access to these areas without having to navigate through city residents, who are very close to the city, now have to travel around 18km on Aroor-Edappally stretch of NH 66 to reach Kochi. Opening of the new bridge is also expected to significantly reduce vehicle flow at at least four traffic signal project gained significant attention when locals held a hunger strike a decade ago, demanding better connectivity. In 2016, Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board approved Rs 97.45 crore for the bridge and the project is set to take off after nine years.
