News Detail

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#696969"><span style="font-size:11px"><span style="font-family:arial">It was more than two years ago that the Kochi Corporation organised the Road Conclave to better the condition of the roads in the city. But, the majority of the recommendations mooted in the Road Conclave, like the Road Annuity Scheme, are yet to be implemented.&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="color:rgb(105, 105, 105); font-family:arial; font-size:11px; line-height:1.6em">It is learnt that though the Works Standing Committee of the Corporation recommended the implementation of the Annuity Scheme, the Council is yet to take a final decision in this regard.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#696969"><span style="font-size:11px"><span style="font-family:arial">Under the Road Annuity Scheme, the construction and maintenance of the roads will be allotted to an agency and the local body will have to pay a fixed amount annually to them.&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="color:rgb(105, 105, 105); font-family:arial; font-size:11px; line-height:1.6em">Under the scheme, the contracts will be more composite in nature and the responsibility of maintenance will be fully with the contractor or the agency that undertakes the work.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#696969"><span style="font-size:11px"><span style="font-family:arial">The Road Annuity Scheme will be ideal and suitable for major roads in the city like SA Road, Chittoor Road and Park Avenue Road. &ldquo;The works standing committee had already recommended the Council to take steps for implementing the scheme. Now, it has to be discussed and approved at the Council meeting so that the next steps could be taken,&rdquo; said a member of the Works Standing Committee.</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#696969"><span style="font-size:11px"><span style="font-family:arial">As per the scheme, if the quality of construction is not up to the mark, the contractor will have to shell out more money for the maintenance. It will also ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated period and that the roads are operated and maintained according to specific standards.</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#696969"><span style="font-size:11px"><span style="font-family:arial">&ldquo;The annuity payout is linked to strict and standard specifications laid down by the government and the agency will have to obtain a certificate from an empanelled engineer before receiving the annuity payment. These will ensure the durability and quality of the roads,&rdquo; experts added.</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#696969"><span style="font-size:11px"><span style="font-family:arial">The other major recommendations that were taken in the Road Conclave held in 2011 are developing concrete roads and designer roads according the geographical specialties of the areas. Kochi is a city that is easily vulnerable to water logging and concrete roads will be a feasible idea in places with high density traffic.</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#696969"><span style="font-size:11px"><span style="font-family:arial">Source-On Request</span></span></span></p>