NEW DELHI: The Centre has assured that an economic package will be implemented to convert state government buses to green fuel and that accidents and traffic jams in some parts of Kerala related to the development of National Highways will be scientifically resolved.
Transport Minister Antony Raju told a news conference that the assurance was given during a meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
The Centre will formulate a financial package to convert vehicles to green fuels such as CNG, LNG and electricity. The price of LNG will be decided soon. The Minister said that the demand for construction of a flyover at Eenchakkal in Thiruvananthapuram city has been accepted in principle and the National Highways Authority has been directed to submit a report.
The traffic problem at Thiruvallam Junction near Kovalam, a tourist destination, will be solved scientifically. The Minister also directed the Union Surface Transport Secretary to check the issuance of passes by fixing minimum monthly toll for buses of state governments
Kerala will be considered for the construction of roadside rest areas at bus depots along the National Highway. Prakash Gaur, Chief Executive, National Highway Logistics Management, has been directed to take steps to set up logistics hubs at KSRTC sites.
Apart from the minister, Shashi Tharoor MP, Transport Secretary Biju Prabhakar, Central Surface Transport Secretary Giridhar Aramane and National Highways Authority Chairperson Alkha Upadhyay were also present at the high-level meeting.