Thiruvananthapuram, October 1, 2026: The Kerala Public Works Department (PWD) has initiated the preparation of a comprehensive 10-year master plan for road development across the state. A special committee has been constituted to assess existing infrastructure and identify priority projects involving major junctions, flyovers, bypasses and road widening.
According to PWD Minister P. K. Basheer, the committee will evaluate the condition and capacity of Kerala’s existing road and bridge network while also studying future traffic requirements. Projects will be prioritised based on factors including traffic demand, connectivity, future urban development, existing road capacity and structural safety.
The committee is chaired by retired IAS officer A. Shajahan, with PWD Additional Secretary V. R. Vinod serving as convener. It also includes representatives from PWD’s roads, bridges and design wings, the Kerala State Transport Project, Kerala Highway Research Institute, NATPAC and the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram.
Road safety will form an important part of the assessment, including specific attention to pedestrian safety. Projects will also be classified as large, medium or small to help establish a systematic development priority.
The committee has been directed to submit its report to the government within two months of beginning its work. Following technical and administrative approvals, selected projects are expected to be taken forward by the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB), which will coordinate project preparation, approval, implementation and monitoring.
The initiative is intended to move Kerala away from considering individual road projects separately and towards a coordinated, long-term approach based on traffic needs, safety, connectivity and anticipated development.
