Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has decided to set up an expert committee to review and update the technical procedures followed in bridge construction across the state. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Public Works Minister P A Mohamed Riyas.

The committee will comprise experts from IITs, NITs, and senior engineers of the Public Works Department (PWD). It has been tasked with recommending changes to the existing PWD manual and suggesting additional safety systems and facilities at construction sites. The Minister directed the panel to submit its report within a fixed timeline, with the PWD Secretary assigned to oversee the process.

The move follows recent reports that technical faults in equipment have contributed to accidents at construction sites. The meeting was attended by PWD Secretary K Biju IAS, chief engineers, and other senior officials.

Kerala has witnessed multiple bridge mishaps in recent weeks. On August 14, a portion of the under-construction Thorayikadavu bridge in Kozhikode collapsed, injuring a worker. Earlier, on August 4, two workers were killed when a beam of an under-construction bridge over the Achencoil river in Alappuzha gave way.