Monday, January 10 2005 20:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: About 687 kms of roads including 60 kms of national highway have been damaged due to the killer Tsunami in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a top official said today (Jan 10, 2005).

Union Surface Transport Ministry secretary Dhanendra Kumar told reporters in Bangalore that the initial damage assessment includes about 14 bridges and 78 culverts that have been ravaged by the December 26 tsunami waves. Five teams of officials were sent to each of these places to assess the damage.

He said the Ministry would take up the task of building and upgrading the roads and bridges soon, which is estimated to cost upwards of Rs 200 crore.

Earlier speaking at a special session on the impact of Tsunami at the 65th annual session of the Indian Roads Congress, Kumar said, the Ministry would conduct another survey to assess the damage to roads and bridges, which was essential after water levels receded.

He called on the Indian Roads Congress to form a "core team" of experts to come out with "short, medium and long term" suggestions for upgrading roads and bridges considering the impact of the tsunami.

Kumar said the complete repair of damaged roads will take about six months, while for the bridges it would take more time.