Thiruvananthapuram, Tuesday 20 July 2010: A web-enabled Integrated Voice Response System (IVRS) Help line will be set up by the Public Works Department for the public to bring to the notice of the department the problems in roads, buildings, bridges and national highways under the PWD and roads under Kerala State Transport Project.

“The IVRS help line developed by Keltron has 30 telephone lines that will function round-the-clock, seven days a week, from next week onwards,” Minister for Public Works and Finance, T. M. Thomas Issac said.

Minister said the government was for making use the latest technology and machines for the resurfacing of the roads to ensure longer life for the roads and to ensure hassle-free travel.

The overall quality of PWD roads was much below the standard set by the Indian Road Congress and it was causing significant economic loss through increased vehicle operating cost and accidents. He said the PWD would buy a pothole-filling machine from Patna at an estimated cost of Rs.35 lakh on a trial basis.

Isaac said over one lakh potholes had been filled during the intensive drive launched by the PWD in the State since he took over the charge of the department. “Ninety per cent of the potholes had been filled and work cannot be taken up in remaining area due to seepage of water, flooding and other reasons.”

Tenders had been invited for carrying out patchwork in 6,200 km of PWD roads in the State. The work would begin in August and would be completed before Onam. The resurfacing of 400 to 500 km of PWD roads that had been identified as worst would be taken up after the patchwork was completed.