Water Resources dept. to work with PWD, LSGD to speed up road restoration works, says Keralam Minister

The Water Resources department is working in coordination with the Public Works and Local Self-Government departments to reduce public inconvenience caused by road excavations for drinking water projects and subsequent delays in road restoration, Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph informed the Assembly on Wednesday.

The department has already permitted the Public Works and Local Self-Government departments to carry out restoration works, and the amount spent would be reimbursed by the Water Resources department.

Further, remedial measures are being implemented through coordination meetings, chaired by the District Collector and supervised by elected representatives, with the participation of senior officials from the departments concerned as well as through platforms like the District Infrastructure Coordination Committee and the District Development Committee.

At the constituency level, review meetings chaired by the MLAs concerned are held to examine issues related to water supply and road restoration along with identifying solutions. Furthermore, meetings are organised under the chairmanship of the MLAs concerned involving elected representatives and relevant officials to ensure the timely completion and evaluation of the progress.

Additionally, review meetings are conducted at various levels at regular intervals. The decisions and directives emerging from these meetings are communicated to the contractors undertaking the work, and necessary follow-up actions will be taken accordingly. Measures are being taken to ensure the timely completion of drinking water projects, thereby preventing cost escalation caused by indefinite delays. If there was any delay due to lapses on the part of the contractors, action, including the imposition of penalties, will be taken in accordance with the terms of the contract, the Minister said.