KOCHI: The work of the KSEB City Automation Project that was pending for the past few months will resume soon after Onam.The project being carried out by Indian Railway Construction Corporation (IRCON) was in progress in many areas before it came to a stop due to rain for the past one or two months.“We have been given the sanction to start the work of the underground cable laying on the city premises by at least September 15. The work will commence on Shanmugham Road on a 1.5-km stretch,” said an official with the KSEB. The Rs. 80-crore project simultaneously began in 2007 in cities such as Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvanthapuram. But the project which was supposed to be completed in 2009 was delayed in Kochi city due to many reasons. The KSEB official said, “There were hindrances - lack of coordination from the National Highways, Kerala Water Authority, Public Works Department and the Railways. But we believe everything will work out smoothly, even though it will take some time.”KSEB has sent their estimated work plan to the responsible board regarding the work on the National Highway. “The National Highways Authority has agreed to allow work on their roads, provided that we move our posts to the end of the NH. Besides the road should be tarred after being dug for our our work. Sticking to these conditions would require at least Rs. 50 lakh and so it was difficult to come to a consensus.”Also, the sanction from the Railways is quite a problem. “The Railways is causing much of the delay by citing lack of staff to sanction their procedure work.”Besides, the PWD officials are hesitant to give their work over to the KSEB. “Whenever we hand over the work to the KSEB, they damage the roads. The Collector had stated that the work in the city can commence, provided there is proper regulation.” Most of the work in Palluruthy are over. Also areas such as Mattanchery, Panampilly Nagar and Thevara have seen progress.
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