Page 247 - economic review

219INFRASTRUCTURE

Box 5.2
Major Activities of KHRI during 2013-14

• Investigation Works for KSTP - DPR preparation for Phase 2 - Road maintenace
components for 14 roads- completed

• Preparation of DPR and Feasibility Report for five works of KSTP Phase I upgraded road
works is progressing

• Permanent Quality control testing laborataries started functioning in seven districts and
construction of six laborataries are progressing and 2175 tests completed

(c) National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC)

5.18 The objective of NATPAC is to conduct Research and Development and extension activities
in the field of transportation and allied areas. The broad areas of activities of NATPAC includes
transportation, planning and road safety, regional transportation, highway planning and development,
traffic management, water transport and providing consultancy services to various user agencies in
the domain area.

5.19 During the year 2013-14, NATPAC has carried out 18 plan programmes, 31externally
funded projects and road safety programmes sponsored by Kerala Road Safety Authority (KRSA)
and brought out road safety training materials. The plan programmes are mostly R&D projects
addressing the traffic and transportation issues of the State. The externally funded projects are need
based studies entrusted to NATPAC by government agencies like PWD, Transport, Tourism, Water
Resources, Town Planning Departments and other Organisations like Kochi Metro Rail Company,
National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Roads and Bridges Development Corporation Kerala
(RBDCK) , Infrastructure Kerala Limited (INKEL) etc. Research studies undertaken by NATPAC
have led to the formation of design standards and guidelines for constructing better quality roads by
using modern construction techniques. The Centre aimed at creating and establishing necessary
infrastructure both in equipments and expertise in various fields of transportation and allied subjects.
During the period, NATPAC was carrying out 17 Plan programmes and a number of need based/
sponsored research projects. Twelve projects/programmes on Road Safety are sponsored by Kerala
Road Safety Authority (KRSA).

Road Transport Services

5.20 Road Transport is the dominant mode of transport for moving goods and passenger traffic.
Road transport acts as the feeder service to the rail traffic, air traffic and ports and harbours. The
vehicle density of the State during 2013-14 is very high compared to many other States in India.
Road transport industry is dominated by private service providers. The road freight services are
wholly owned and operated by the private sector.

Motor Vehicle Population

5.21 The growth of vehicle population in Kerala is 6.2 percent over the previous year. The growth of
Motor Vehicles since last six years is shown in Fig 5.2.

Economic Review 2014