Monsoon rains misery on Kochi coast

KOCHI

: Heavy monsoon caused waterlogging in city roads as overflowing drains added to the public misery. Roads that were once dug-up for cable and pipeline works have become murky potholes, adding to commuter woes. Waterlogging was seen on MG Road, Jos Junction, Subash Bose Park, Ernakulum guest house road, Pallimukku and Thevara, to name a few.


“We had floated tenders to tar the roads in Thevara at an estimated cost of Rs 1.63 crore. But, the work cannot be taken up during rainy season. Roads are dug-up for water pipeline work and it’s now filled with rainwater. Only after two months, by August or September the tarring work can begin,” said Thevara councillor Elizabeth.

It is mainly due to the lack of planning that roads remain dug-up for laying water pipelines and cables during monsoon, said Vennala councillor M B Muraleedharan. Janatha Road to High school road in Vennala is dug-up for laying water pipeline. One more road was supposed to be dug-up to lay water pipelines, the idea was frozen as the entire area could be waterlogged in monsoons, he said. Concerned authorities have deposited nearly Rs 6,000/m for tarring works, work can begin only after the rain, he said.

In Edappally, three roads are dugup to lay water pipelines and PWD will need Rs 1.05 crore to complete the entire road works, including tarring. Tenders will be called for road repair works and tarring. After two months during Onam, road tarring work will be taken up, said Edappally councillor AG Radhakrishnan.

Entire road network including bylanes along residential areas in Kaloor need to be restored because many roads are dug-up for pipeline and cable works. Tarring got delayed due to the model code of conduct and now monsoon will prevent works, said Kaloor north councillor PM Harris. Broken pipelines, drains and rainwater have converged on roads and it must be rectified. After August 15, road tarring works will be taken up, he said.

Each of the 74 divisions in Kochi gets Rs 50 lakh as divisional fund from the corporation, in addition each division gets Rs 50 lakh from the plan fund. These funds are meant for working out general purposes in the division including road restoration, welfare, art and culture.

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