Road repair: PWD to adopt new technology

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister for Public Works and Finance T.M. Thomas Isaac has said the conventional way of constructing roads in the State should be changed to meet the anticipated passenger and freight travel demand in the years ahead.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, the Minister said the government was for making use the latest technology and machines for the resurfacing of the roads to ensure longer life for the roads and to ensure hassle-free travel. The overall quality of PWD roads was much below the standard set by the Indian Road Congress and it was causing significant economic loss through increased vehicle operating cost and accidents. He said the PWD would buy a pothole filling machine from Patna at an estimated cost of Rs.35 lakh on a trial basis.

Dr. Isaac said over one lakh potholes had been filled during the intensive drive launched by the PWD in the State since he took over the charge of the department. �Ninety per cent of the potholes had been filled and work cannot be taken up in remaining area due to seepage of water, flooding and other reasons.