Corp must confess its inability to lay durable roads to HC: Activists

KOCHI: Despite mounting criticism against the undue delay in relaying roads, Kochi corporation, one of the prominent road owners in the city, continue to remain inactive. Social activists demand that if the local body is unable to undertake road work, they should file an affidavit before the high court explaining their inability.
Activist Renjith G Thampy said, “If the local body is incapable of constructing durable roads, they must state this fact before the high court.In case terrain is an issue, there are several other agencies which are competent to undertake these works. Ten years back, LDF lost power in Kochi corporation as they ignored the public demand for having good quality road networks,” he said, adding that despite being in power for 10 years, the UDF leadership did not work towards improving road conditions.
As the local body gets in to election mode, it is pointed out that bad condition of roads and poor infrastructure development could turn public sentiments against the ruling UDF.
Political group V4 Kochi, which has decided to contest from all 74 divisions of Kochi corporation in the local body polls, said the corporation views road construction activities ‘as a source for getting commission".
V4 Kochi campaign convenor Nipun Cherian said, “There is much corruption in road work. So, councillors and others will naturally want to continue following the present approach and will not want any changes.” He said the local body’s motive has never been to construct durable works. It is pointed out that milling activities are not done before relaying roads. “Roads have become a place to dump quarry materials. When milling is not done, it ensures fresh supply of quarry materials. They are stealing public money,” he added.
Meanwhile, works standing committee chairman P M Harris, said, “There are no hindrances in executing patch work or pending work.” “The local body can go ahead with execution of works that have already been tendered. The process of clearing bills of local body’s contractors is underway. We have requested them to take up works,” he added.