KERELA, INDIA (Smart Cities News): Due to the Lack of coordination among several government departments, including PWD, KSEB and KWA, has hit the ambitious, smart road works in Kerela. On Saturday, i.e., 04th September 2021, a meeting of the Smart City project chaired by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan reviewed the works.
The meeting witnessed criticism that the works were progressing slowly and concluded that only smooth coordination among the stakeholders could complete the project before the deadline. The Rs. 427 crores project for the 46-kilometre road in the city is expected to be completed in February 2023. However, the main challenge is shifting utility lines, including power, telecom, digital TV and optical fibre cables, and constructing the multi-utility ducts and stormwater drains.
According to the given report, the works are being carried out under two sections. The development of roads coming under the corporation is progressing well, while the streets that come under PWD and Kerala Road Fund Board are still lagging. As many as 20 routes of 9.87 KM in length comprising nine wards come under the corporation. These are being developed at the cost of Rs. 104 crores. Twenty kilometres of 40 roads come under PWD, while 16 KM come under KRFB.
“There is no proper coordination among the stakeholders. The KSEB, KWA and PWD are at loggerheads over utility line shifting and digging up of roads. Since this is a project of enormous dimension, coordination is the key. The state government should appoint a special officer to oversee the activities. Then only, the works will be carried out smoothly”, said officials.
The preliminary works of the project were started in February 2021, but the district collector had stopped road cutting and digging activities owing to the election code of conduct.
According to Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Limited officials, the survey for the utility ducts is being carried out on the roads under PWD and KRFB. “It is true that there is some delay in the proceedings. However, it is mainly due to the shifting of optical fibre cables. If any fibre is cut, it will affect the data connectivity.
So, detailed planning is on. However, the development of old roads under the city corporation is progressing fast. Mainly, the corporation roads are interconnected to the PWD roads. So, senior officials, the result of the streets entirely under the corporation is in full swing.
Project at the glimpse
As part of the project, 46 KM of streets in the capital will be made as per global standards. All overhead lines would be laid underground so that no cables and electric posts could be seen on either side of the roads. The other features are dedicated cycle tracks, LED streetlights and footpaths. The contractors of the project, which will be implemented in four phases, have been selected.
The project’s primary goal is to enable local area development and harness technology, particularly technology that leads to smart outcomes, to drive economic growth and improve citizens quality of life.
Smart City is one of the four critical flagship missions launched by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA). The goal is to use intelligent solutions to provide core infrastructure and a decent quality of life for citizens, and a clean environment.
