KOCHI:
Justice K Narayana Kurup said that he is totally against demolition of any construction and it should be the last resort while considering a case at the court.
Inaugurating the public seminar organised by those in the construction sector to discuss about the irregularities in construction agreements and controversy of Palarivattom Bridge, Kurup said the demolition process should be executed if there is threat to people during construction. When violations are detected while construction is going on, it should be demolished, he said.
Construction industry is playing a major role in the development of the nation. Construction industry does not confine to building of roads and bridges, but the real estate sector, construction of airports, seaports and other infrastructure too comes under this sector.
Justice Kurup said that there are instances that the Government entrust works contractors and the fund earmarked for it being diverted for other purposes. Priority should be given to release fund for the works which are completed by the contractors, he said.
The increase in price of raw materials for construction activities too are affecting the works for the development of infrastructure. Justice Kurup cited the example of Titanic tragedy and said that the contractor alone cannot be made liable for any damage to the buildings, roads and bridges.
Prince Joseph, State chairman, Builders Association of India, presided over the function. Kerala Government Contractors Association (KGCA) president Varghese Kannampally, Reji Zachariah, president, Graduates Engineers Assocaiton, Kerala Government Electrical Contractors Association working president R Radhakrishnan spoke.
During the discussion on Palarivattom Bridge, the speakers said that the court directive to conduct the load test should be conducted by the government at the earliest. They also said that the bridge should be opened for two-wheelers and four-wheelers so that the traffic problems at one of the busiest junction at Kochi could be avoided.
Anpu Thomas Samual, director, STUP Consultancy, Bangalore, said he had already rectified many bridges which was comparatively worse condition in India. He also added that there no deflection for the slabs and as such there is no heavy damage for Palarivattom bridge.
Kurian Mathew, former Chief Engineer Kerala PWD and Yacoob Mohan George, former deputy chief engineer, Kerala PWD, presented the problems faced by the construction sector and the issues in Palarivattom Bridge. Dr Anil Joseph, national executive member, Structural Engineers Association, was the moderator.
V Haridas, general secretary, KGCA and C L Rasheed, working president PMGSYCA, spoke during the discussion. A visit to the Palarivattom Bridge by the engineers to have an on the spot assessment was also held.
