Projects Wing (Kerala State Transport Project)

Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) is one of the important and successful endeavors of Government of Kerala (GoK) and Public Works Department (PWD) implemented with the assistance of the World Bank (WB).

The reference to conceiving of this project goes back to 1996; by then GoK-PWD evaluated the lower efficiency of major road network due to rapid growth in traffic levels coupled with existing inadequate and deteriorating road infrastructure. To this respect the ‘Strategic Options Study’ (SOS), was carried out in 1997 covering nearly 9000Km of roads for prioritization.

This important study based on strategic parameters recommended a priority list of road corridors for further techno economic feasibility study and then Detailed Engineering. 

In the year 1999, 2810 Km of roads recommended through SOS study were selected for Techno-Economic feasibility. Road Maintenance Component prioritization and Institutional Development Strategy Studies were initiated in 2000

PWD Projects wing is formed to execute externally aided projects and specialized projects. This wing is headed by a Project Director and a Chief Engineer (Projects). Currently this wing is executing the World Bank aided Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP). The organisational setup of the Projects wing is as shown below.

Completed KSTP Roads in kerala

    

Kerala Public Works Department

Public works department in the State of Travancore (which later formed the major part of Kerala State following the reorganisation of states in 1956) made its beginning in the year 1823 with the formation of the Maramath Department as a branch of the Huzur Cutchery (Government Secretariat) with an executive branch known as the Panivakai Maramath.The Administration Report of the department for the year 1873-74 states that "the new roads of which very nearly 1000 miles have been either completely opened or are in various stages of progress have tapped an enormous tract of the country hitherto almost inacessible, giving fresh impetus to agriculture". [To view the details of functioning of the Public Works Department as described in the Travancore State Manual
    The PWD Code was introduced in 1901. The department was periodically reorganised and in 1935-36, the administrative staff under the Chief Engineer consisted of 7 Executive Engineers in charge of divisions, 8 Assistant Engineers and 8 Sub-Engineers in charge of sub-divisions and Supervisors and Overseers in charge of sections. Over the years the department has grown substantially and now has 5 Chief Engineers, 20 Superintending Engineers, 76 Executive Engineers, 289 Assistant Executive Engineers, 639 Assistant Engineers and other supporting staff. The length of roads under the department at present is 23314 km.

 
The department is responsible for:

•     Design, implementation and maintenance of all public works undertaken by Government
•     Economic development of the State by providing required road infrastructure
•     Development of interstate road infrastructure facilities
•     Road safety
•     Enhanced mobility of people and goods and services