Sinking approach roads at Elamkulam pose threat to motorists

Kochi: Even as high court recently directed the authorities, including Kochi corporation, to level undulations near Metro pillars, the approach roads on both sides of Elamkulam bridge have significantly subsided, creating ‘cuttings' or sharp vertical drops that pose a severe threat to motorists.The primary danger lies in the deceptive nature of the road surface. As the stretch is freshly tarred, the sinking is visually masked, making the sudden dip nearly impossible to detect at high speeds. For the thousands of motorists navigating this busy corridor, the result is often a violent jolt that can lead to a loss of vehicle control. Emmanuel Wilson, an auto-driver stationed at Elamkulam Metro station, highlighted the harrowing reality for those on the ground. "One often can't see the cutting due to the sinking. There is a high risk of two-wheelers losing control. Even for us, steering becomes difficult. If we hit the brakes suddenly to avoid the dip, we risk being rear-ended by the vehicle behind us," he explained. The recurring issue stems from the geography of the area. The soil beneath the bridge spanning Chilavannoor River is predominantly loose and alluvial. Over time, this unstable foundation leads to the gradual sinking of the approach embankments, while the bridge structure itself, supported by deep-rooted piles, remains stationary. Technical experts suggest that simple re-tarring is not a solution for the deep-seated structural problem. "I've raised the matter with mayor, urging the corporation to integrate a permanent fix for the bridge into their broader road restoration plans. A permanent solution would require concreting and reinforcement at the specific junctions where the approach roads meet the bridge structure to bridge the gap between the shifting soil and the fixed masonry," said Vytilla Janatha councillor Anu K Thankachan. Last week, high court directed Kochi corporation to take immediate action to permanently rectify all road surface protrusions and uneven sections around Metro pillars, which too are caused by loose soil structure underneath. Mayor V K Minimol had told ToI that the corporation carried out a study and found the loose earth underneath as the reason. It would cost Rs 14 crore for permanent rectification measures. "Corporation doesn't have funds now. We intend to submit a proposal to the new govt coming to power after the election," she said. Thankachan said the permanent fix to the bridge needs to be taken up with the road surface rectification work.