The Hindu Business Line : Kerala yet to decide on expressway: Minister

The proposal for constructing an express highway in the State is still under the consideration of the Government, the Minister for Public Works, Mr P.J. Joseph, said in the Kerala Assembly on Monday.

Replying to questions, the Minister said a private company has been entrusted with the preparation of a detailed project. But the work could not proceed following public resistance.

He said that the Government is also examining a proposal for north-south highway and a final decision on this will be taken only after getting the preliminary report.

MODERNISATION

The Minister for Transport, Printing and Stationery, Mr Mathew T. Thomas, informed the House that latest technology would be adopted for modernising the Printing Department. The department will launch a Web site to enable the public to have easy access to the Government gazettes. Also on the agenda is networking and renovation of Government presses.

The Minister said that as part of the computerisation programme of the transport department , a Fully Automated Service in Transport system has been introduced. The system is intended to weed out middlemen and corruption from the transport offices.

The department will open pollution and vehicle testing centres in the State and action would be taken against those operating parallel services. The vigilance wing of the department will also be strengthened.

BAR LICENCES

The Minister for Labour and Excise, Mr P.K. Gurudasan, said that the previous government had given licences for 79 bars in the State.

The Government will consider requests for opening of new outlets of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation. Also, the practice of closing down the liquor shops on the first day of every month would be reconsidered, he added.