A parliamentary probe has just uncovered serious problems in National Highway projects across Kerala, revealing major lapses that compromise public safety and drain taxpayer funds. This urgent investigation exposes critical failures in the construction and upkeep of vital roads, bringing to light widespread issues that impact the state’s transport network right now. The findings demand immediate fixes and raise big questions about who is responsible for these crucial public works.
Problems Found
A group of lawmakers looked closely at how national road projects are going in Kerala. They found many big mistakes. This group, called the Parliamentary Committee on Public Works, has finished its check and given its findings. The main problems found were about buying land, how roads were built. how money was used. These issues have slowed down crucial road work and made people worried about safety and the use of public money.
The committee’s report said that getting land for new roads was a big problem. There were many delays in buying the needed land. This meant that building work could not start on time. In some places, the land was bought. people living there were not moved out quickly, which also stopped the work. The report also pointed out that the prices paid for land were sometimes too high. This led to money being spent without good reason. For example, the report talked about a section near Kochi where land buying took much longer than it should have, making the project fall behind schedule by over a year. Similar issues were seen in parts of the Kozhikode Bypass project, causing a halt in work for several months.
What Went Wrong
The problems found are due to many reasons. The committee said that there was not enough checking of the work. People in charge did not watch the projects closely enough. This led to many mistakes not being seen early. Also, some companies that got contracts to build the roads did not do their work well. They used materials that were not good enough or did not follow building rules. This means the roads might not last long or could be unsafe. The report highlighted that some contractors were given projects even when they did not have a strong history of good work. This made the risk of bad work higher.
One major point in the report was the way contracts were given out. The committee felt that in some cases, the process was not clear. This might have allowed companies that were not the best choice to get the work. There was also a problem with people working together well. Different government groups and private companies did not talk to each other enough. This made it hard to solve problems quickly. For example, when there was a problem with getting sand or stones for building, it took a long time to sort out because different groups were not helping each other fast enough.
A part of the committee’s report stated: “The lack of regular checks and poor oversight from the responsible authorities has directly led to many of the problems seen in these essential road projects. This must change for future work.”
How Road Work is Affected
The problems found have made a big impact on the road projects in Kerala. Many projects are now very late. This means people have to wait longer for better roads. For example, a key stretch of National Highway 66 was supposed to be finished last year but is still far from done. The delays mean that people living in the area face more traffic and longer travel times every day. Business also suffers because goods cannot move quickly. The cost of these delays is also high. When projects take longer, they often cost more money in the end because prices of materials or workers’ wages can go up.
Beyond delays, the quality of some roads built has also been questioned. The committee noted that parts of newly built roads showed cracks or other damage too soon after opening. This means that these roads might need fixing again very soon, which will cost even more public money. This also makes driving on these roads less safe for people. The report included some data on project delays:
| Project Section | Original Finish Date | Current Status (as of report) | Delay in Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palakkad Bypass (Phase 1) | March 2023 | 50% Done | 17 (and counting) |
| Kochi-Thrissur Expansion (Part A) | July 2024 | 70% Done | 13 (and counting) |
| Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road (Section 2) | December 2023 | Still Starting | 20 (and counting) |
These delays show how serious the situation is for the state’s essential road network.
What Government Says
After the report came out, government leaders have spoken about the findings. They said they are taking the problems very seriously. A senior official from the Public Works Department stated that they will look into all the issues named in the report. They promised to take strict action against anyone found responsible for the mistakes, whether they are government workers or private companies. The government also said it would make new rules to ensure better checking of road projects in the future.
A government spokesperson said: “We interpret the worries of the people. We are fully committed to fixing these problems and making sure our national roads are built well and on time. We will not allow bad work to continue.”
The government plans to hold special meetings with all groups involved in road building, like land officers, engineers. building companies. The aim is to make sure everyone works together better and follows rules strictly. There is also talk about having more people check on the work while it is happening, not just at the end.
People’s Thoughts and Worries
People in Kerala are very worried about these findings. Many feel that public money is being wasted because of bad planning and poor work. Drivers and people who travel often have shared their frustration about unfinished roads and traffic problems. Local groups have also spoken out, asking for quick action from the government. They want to see that the problems are fixed and that the people responsible are held to account. Some have said that these delays affect their daily lives, making simple trips take much longer and costing them more fuel.
A local resident from Alappuzha, who uses the national highway daily, said, “We were promised smooth roads years ago. Now we just see half-finished work and traffic jams. It’s frustrating to know that mistakes are happening and our money is not being used well.” This feeling is shared by many who rely on these major roads for work and daily travel. Public groups are planning to ask the government for regular updates on how the fixes are going.
What Happens Next
The parliamentary committee’s report is now with the government. The next step is for the government to study all the suggestions made in the report. It is expected that the government will announce a plan of action soon. This plan might include changing how contracts are given out, making rules for quality checks stronger. setting up a way for people to report problems easily. There is also a call for fixing specific projects that are very much delayed or have big quality issues. The committee has asked the government to report back on the steps taken within six months.
Experts in road building have also given their views. They say that learning from these mistakes is essential. They suggest that better technology should be used to watch over road building. Also, they say that there should be more people who know about building roads well working for the government to help check the quality of work. This will help make sure that big road projects in Kerala are built properly and on time in the future, helping the state’s travel network grow stronger.
