The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Laudable effort

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 12, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Laudable effort

Along with the monsoons came huge potholes in most of the roads in Kochi. The sub-standard asphalting done was there for all to see. Although the Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road was the first to be damaged, the condition of the recently-laid approach roads to the Goshree bridges, the new bridge built parallel to the one at Menaka, some areas in the NH-47 bye-pass and the Sahodaran Ayyappan Road were in equally bad condition.

The delay on the part of the Cochin Port Trust to relay the road to the Goshree bridges resulted in people organising a protest near a big pothole a few days ago. They named the hole `crocodile farm.' Only a crocodile was absent in the scene.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is the only agency that has so far bothered to re-lay the roads. Agencies such as the Public Works Department, the Corporation of Cochin and the Greater Cochin Development Authority are yet to wake up from their slumber.

The result - traffic snarls and accidents have become commonplace in the city. Lucky one escape accidents, but end up with backache and other orthopaedic ailments. Some vehicles get damaged. At least, doctors and vehicle mechanics seem to be having a good time.

John L. Paul

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