Infrastructure

State Road Network Infrastructure

An efficient road infrastructure is an essential requirement for sustained growth of the economy and to ensure cost effective movement of people and goods. The major road network of Kerala, though well connected, faces severe constraints due to the urban sprawl and the haphazard ribbon development all along the routes. The existing traffic levels at most stretches are excessive and beyond the road capacity. The traffic on roads is steadily increasing at a rate of 10 to 11 per cent a year. Capacity augmentation of existing roads is beset with problems relating to limited right of way and land acquisition.

The most important challenge in the road sector involves building all weather roads connecting each and every village. Even though Kerala is comparatively better placed than most other States as regards road length, the condition of many of these roads is very poor. Therefore, the main emphasis under road development in Kerala has been on improvement and up gradation of existing roads rather than construction of new roads. This requires institutional strengthening, adoption of standards applicable to the Indian Road Congress (IRC)/Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) specifications, strict quality control and adoption of self-financing revenue models suited to the State. The investment need in the road sector is of high magnitudes that are beyond the resources available with the Government. Therefore, there is an imperative need to motivate private and other non-governmental agencies/corporate sectors to participate in road construction and up gradation of selected highways.

The major development indicators of transport and communication sector in the State since 2010 are given in Appendix 5.1. On the road front, traffic has been growing at a rate of 10 to 11 per cent every year, resulting in excessive pressure on the roads of the State. Total road length in Kerala during 2015-16 is 205545.616 km. This includes classified and non classified roads as stipulated by Indian Road Congress. Road density in the State is 528.8 Km/100 sq.km and it is far ahead of the national average of 387 km/100 sq.km. The length of road per lakh population is 615.5 km. Almost 90 per cent of the road network is single lane and below standard. The National Highways, considered to be the primary network, carries 40 per cent of the total traffic, and the State Highways and MDRs, the secondary road network, carries another 40 per cent of the road traffic. Thus less than 10 per cent of the road network handles almost 80 per cent of the total traffic. Roads maintained by different agencies of the State are given in Table 5.3.

Table 5.3
Agency-wise distribution of State roads in Kerala during 2015-16

Source: Various Departments

The roads maintained by different Local Self Government Departments during 2015-16 is 139380.410 km (67.81 per cent), of which 63348.52 Km (45.45 per cent) are black topped and 16716.24 km (8.13 per cent) are cement concrete and of varying standards.

Public Works Department (Roads and Bridges)

Roads and Bridges wing of PWD is mandated to look after State Highways, and Major District Roads in the State. PWD roads constitute 15 per cent of the total road network in the State and carries nearly 80 per cent of the road traffic within the State. With road traffic growing at an average rate of 12-14 per cent every year, the pressure on PWD road network is on an increasing trend.

The total length of roads maintained by PWD (R&B) increased to 31812.096 km during 2015-16, of which 4342 km is State Highways and 27470 km is Major District roads. Out of the State highways of 4342 km, only 1640 km of roads is Standard Double Lane and 2,404 km of roads is Single Lane and the rest is Below Standard Single Lane. Out of the 27470 km of Major District Roads, only 1310 km are Standard Double Lane and 26160 km are Standard Single Lane. The total length of Double Lane PWD roads is only 2950 km which is only 9.27 per cent of the roads owned by PWD.

Out of the total roads of 31812.096 km maintained by PWD, Kottayam District has the major share with a length of 3456.214 km (10.86 per cent). Wayanad District has the lowest share with 1029.314 km (3.24 per cent). Details of district wise and category wise length of roads maintained by PWD (R&B) as on March 31, 2016 is given in Appendix 5.2.

As on March 31, 2016 there were 1806 bridges and 51400 culverts on the PWD roads. Of them, 61 bridges need reconstruction/renovation and 1557 culverts are not in good condition. More details are given in Appendix 5.3, Appendix 5.4, Appendix 5.5 and Appendix 5.6. Major Initiatives of PWD (R&B) during 2015-16 is given in the Box.

The State PWD is responsible for policy, planning, design, construction and maintenance of the State Highways, Major District Roads and the National Highways on behalf of the NHAI. State PWD is performing extremely vital role in provision of road infrastructure on the ground. However, they need to be reoriented to the current needs with emphasis on private sector participation and implementation of large scale projects under the assistance of multilateral funding agencies like JBIC, World Bank, and ADB.

During 2015-16, development and improvement of 1731 Km of State Highways and MDRs has been completed by PWD (R&B). It includes a total length of 695 Km of bitumen macadam & bitumen concrete (BM&BC) surfacing and 1036 Km of normal surfacing. Roads and Bridges wing has completed the works of 77 bridges out of the 100 bridges included in the 400 days programme of Government of Kerala. ‘PRICE’ software implemented for preparing estimates and speedy submission to other offices online for according Administrative Sanction and Technical Sanction. Various road works under Panchayats/Municipalities/Corporations, for an amount of 557.12 crore, has been taken up and completed under the one time renovation scheme. Three major projects under the District Flagship Infrastructure Projects viz, Valiazheekkal Bridge ( 146.5 crore), Nadukani Vazhikkadavu Parappanangadi Road ( 415.00 crore) and Cherupuzha Payyavoor Road ( 205 crore) has been started.

Government of Kerala has made it mandatory to follow Indian Road Congress (IRC) standards and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) specification for road works in Kerala. Kerala Public Works Department Manual has also been revised and the revised Edition (2012) has been made effective from April 1, 2012 onwards. The impact of the change in specifications and revisions in Manuals is to be evaluated in the coming years.

National Highways

The National Highway Wing of State PWD is responsible for the upkeep and development of National Highways in the State mainly with the funds allocated by the GoI. There are Nine National Highways together constituting 1781.57 km length in the State, of which 1,339 km (76.6 per cent) are under various development stages by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Development of the remaining 408 km, which is under the control of the State PWD, is the responsibility of the State Government. The details are presented in Table 5. 4.

Table 5.4
National Highways in Kerala

Source : PWD (NH)

Among the 11 National Highways, the Vallarpadam – Kalamassery NH C (New NH 966 A) is being developed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). Upkeep of the highways, except 176 km is being done by State PWD with fund allocated by Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH). Central Road Fund allocation is used for the development of State Roads, that is, State Highways and Major District Roads. 45 works are on-going and 26 new works have been arranged during the period.

Kollam and Alappuzha Bye passes

Kollam and Alappuzha Bye passes in NH 47 is being implemented on cost sharing basis between Central and State Government. The total cost of the project is 700.48 Crore and an amount of 350.24 crore as State share is included in the Major Infrastructure Development Project by State Government.

The total length of Alappuzha Bye pass ( 348.43 crore) is 6.8 KM, of which 3.2 KM is elevated highway, starting from Kommady Junction to Kalarkode. The work commenced on March 16, 2015 under EPC mode and is progressing. M/s RDS CVOC (JV) is the contractor of this time bound EPC with a contract sum of 274.34 crore and is targeted to be completed by August 2017. An amount of 164.64 crore is sanctioned as mobilization advance by the Central and State Governments and 32 per cent of the work completed.

The Kollam Bye pass which starts from Kavanad and ends at Mevaram is 13 km long with aggregate cost of 352.05 crore and it includes 3 major bridges and 7 km new road and widening of 4 km existing road. The work commenced on May 27, 2015 under EPC mode and has made considerable progress and is scheduled to be completed by November 2017. An amount of 103.00 crore is sanctioned as mobilization advance by the Central and State Governments and 32 per cent of the work is completed.

Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP)

Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) is a World Bank assisted project and Bank has approved a cost of 2,403 crore (US$445 ml). The loan agreement with Bank was signed on June 19, 2013 and the effective date is September 2013. The loan closure date is April 2019. The disbursement ratio is 56 per cent by World Bank and 44 per cent by GoK for the eligible items (except land acquisition and operation cost). The State Government had accorded sanction for the project for an amount of 2,500 crore.

The KSTP is implementing the Kerala State Transport Project –Phase II. The objective of the project is to improve the riding quality in 363 km road section with enhanced road safety provisions. The project has three components. (1) Upgradation of 363 km of road, (2) Road Safety Management and (3) Institutional Strengthening. The following works are progressing under the Project. The details are presented in Table No.5.5.

Table 5.5
Works under Kerala State Transport Project, in crore

Source : KSTP

Out of the nine road packages (including one bypass) works on seven packages has been arranged and the works are under different stages of execution. The progress of works had been slow due to adverse climate condition, and local problems. The works in Package III (Thalssery – Valavupura – 54 km) has been terminated due to the poor performance of the contractor. One road in Package – 8 for upgradation could not be taken up as the land acquisition is not yet completed. The works on this road will be limited to strengthening of existing road crust. All the arranged works are expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

Kerala Road Fund Board

Kerala Road Fund Board is a statutory body under the State government established by the KRF Act 2001. The main source of revenue of the Board is the 10 per cent share of motor vehicle tax released by the state government as budget allocation under non plan head. The Board is implementing mainly City Road Improvement Projects on PPP mode. The Thiruvananthapuram City Road Improvement Project has been implemented by Kerala Road Fund Board on PPP (Annuity) mode involving development of more than 43 km of roads in the capital city and its maintenance for 15 years after construction. The construction works under the project has been completed and is being maintained on Annuity Payment mode.

Kerala Road Fund Board has initiated the Kozhikode City Road Improvement Project, which involves development of 22.251 km of road on DBFOT – annuity mode and the work is progressing. Detailed Project Report for implementing the City Road Improvement Project in Alappuzha which is being finalised involves 18 roads for a total length of 48 Km, proposed to be developed under Phase I and four roads for a length of 35.5 km proposed to be developed under Phase II. Proposal for implementing a City Road Improvement Project in Kannur involves development of 47.7 km of road under 12 corridors and the estimated cost of the project is 350.00 crore.

Road Infrastructure Company Kerala Limited (RICK)

Road Infrastructure Company Kerala Limited is a special purpose vehicle incorporated under Indian Companies Act, 1956 by Kerala Road Fund Board. Government of Kerala had taken imitative for implementing State Road Improvement Project (SRIP) aimed at the development of selected State Highways and Major District Roads. There are two packages under the State Road Improvement Project (SRIP) - Rehabilitation Package under PPP Annuity mode and the Up gradation Package with funding from multilateral funding agencies. The Rehabilitation package is intended to improve 106.2 km of roads in two Packages A&B in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Kasaragod Districts at a total cost of 209.91 Crore. Upgradation Package is designed to improve 600 km of road by including land acquisition wherever needed for geometrical corrections and junction improvements. Administrative Sanction has been accorded for acquiring land for Karmana – Vellarada road in Thiruvananthapuram at an estimated cost of 21.00 Crore under the Upgradation Package.

The existing road network has to undergo a qualitative improvement with the aim to reduce traffic congestion and delay, easy access to destinations and reduction in accident risks. Most of the PWD roads have to undergo massive upgradation with widening and incorporation of road safety features. The major National Highways and State Highways passing though the State are to be widened to four lane divided carriage way, other NHs and SHs are to be widened to two lane roads with adequate shoulders/footpath and other major roads are to be widened to intermediate lane with shoulder. Priority needs to be accorded to non-motorized modes of transport like pedestrians, cyclists and public transport and 10 per cent of the roads in urban areas should be designed to have cycle track and 75 per cent of the urban roads should have footpath of reasonable width on both sides.

Research and Development in Road Sector

Research and Development activities play an anchor role in developing innovative models and techniques to address the challenges in modernizing the road system in general and technology up gradation with cost effective infrastructure measures in particular. Design, Research, Investigations and Quality Control Board (DRIQ Board), Kerala Highway Research Institute (KHRI) and National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) are the research organizations engaged in Research and Development of the road sector at present.

(a) DRIQ Board

In 2015-16, the design wing of DRIQ Board developed 16 building designs, structural designs of nine bridges, 13 general design and 31 detailed designs. Moreover, the research and project preparation unit of DRIQ Board has prepared 11 projects. .

(b) Kerala Highway Research Institute (KHRI)

Kerala Highway Research Institute, the South Zone Regional Office is the quality control wing mandated with the task of assuring quality in works undertaken by PWD. Quality control sub division of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kollam districts are under the jurisdiction of KHRI. KHRI conducts training programmes for technical and non technical staff of PWD. The activities of KHRI during 2015-16 is given in Box.

Source: Kerala Highway Research Institute

As part of Quality Control of Works and Test, 2100 tests were conducted and the results were forwarded to the respective Chief Engineers for further action. The investigation works on Detailed Project Report (DPR) for KSTP Phase II covering the maintenance component of 14 roads have also been completed by KHRI during 2015-16.

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

NATPAC is the Research Centre conducting Research and Development and Extension Activities in the field of transportation and allied areas under the administrative control of Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) of Science and Technology department. 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.

During the year 2015-16, NATPAC has carried out 22 research projects, 19 externally funded projects, 11 road safety programmes sponsored by Kerala Road Safety Authority (KRSA) and several road safety training materials have also been developed. The plan programmes are mostly R&D projects to address 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 Department and other Organisations like Kochi Metro Rail Company, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Roads and Bridges Development Corporation Kerala (RBDCK), Techno park, Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation Limited (KRTL), Infrastructure Kerala Limited (INKEL), and Inland Water Ways Authority of India (IWAI).

NATPAC has undertaken studies on the use of industrial waste like jarofix, cement slag and glass fibre in road construction. Studies on the use of Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) and Reclaimed Asphalt for Pavements (RAP) with the aim of providing guidelines for its suitability to Kerala conditions are also being done. NATPAC carried out an appraisal of the highways developed under Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) by conducting the structural and functional evaluation and the study will help in the accurate prediction of pavement performance which is important for efficient management of the transportation infrastructure. The Centre is also developing a perspective plan for development of National Highways sections in Kozhikode division on demonstration mode and a traffic growth rate model for National Highways in Kerala is being developed.