CPWD plans to set up exclusive zone in Kerala

Kochi: The Union Ministry of Urban Affairs is in the process of setting up a zone for the Central Public Works Department in Kerala considering the surge in the workload of various projects in the State.

Mr H.S. Dogra, Director-General (Works), CPWD, New Delhi, said that the exclusive zone to be set up in the State in next financial year would help bringing in more talented manpower coupled with technical expertise for the completion of ongoing projects and new projects.

The new zone will also ensure increase in budgetary allocation of Rs 200 crore to the State, he said adding, that the present CPWD undertaken projects in the State are looked after by two circles one in Kozhikode and the other in Thiruvananthapuram.

Mr Dogra, who was here in connection with a meeting organised by CPWD Officers Wives Association, said the department has in its fold projects worth Rs 6,000 crore with largest pool of employees in the country. It is currently in the process of renovation and upgrading five major stadiums in New Delhi for the Common Wealth Games to be held in the country in 2010.

The total cost of the work is Rs 1,600 crore and will be completed by December 2009. CPWD is also the consulting agency for the Sports Authority of India for its various projects, he added.

Likewise, the department is also carrying out the construction of 10,000 houses in Andaman and Nicobar Islands worth Rs 1,200 crore as part of tsunami relief programmes. On the steep rise in construction materials, he said the department is working on a new formula with the Ministry to face the situation.

CPWD, which started its operations in Kerala by executing the work of Hindustan News Print at Vellore, is currently doing projects worth Rs 150 crore in the State comprising government as well as autonomous bodies. In the field of tourism, he said it had provided buildings in numerous locations in and around Kerala for wayside facilities, boating facilitation centres, tourism jetties etc.