Unscientific laying of tiles lands motorists in trouble

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The installation of interlock tiles to check water logging on Peyad-Kattakkada road has proven to be unscientific.
The PWD had installed interlock tiles at several points on Peyad- Kattakkada stretch, where the department identified water logging was damaging the road.
The project worth Rs 20 lakh for the installation of interlock tiles in a total of 17,000 sq ft area was completed last year.
However, the interlock tiles installed near the Malayinkeezhu post office, Pottenkavu, Anthiyoorkonam and Iratta Kalunk had worn out and resulted in uneven surface.
“It is difficult to ride through the area as the tiles have sunk in the sand. Most affected are the two-wheelers,” said K Sudarshanan, an autorickshaw driver.
The work was completed prior to a major road widening work worth Rs 18.5 crore from Peyad to Mandapathinkadavu which was completed around five months ago.
Now, PWD is engaged in concrete work costing Rs 5 lakh to reinstall the interlock tiles. To prevent waterlogging, pipe will be fixed on either side of the road to drain out water.
“We did not expect waterlogging after the tiles were laid. The rectification work will begin by next week. In some area such as Anthiyoorkonam, the height of tiles will be raised which were earlier set at a low level. It has been found that water leak from KWA pipeline is one of the reason for waterlogging in the area,” said a PWD engineer.