Kerala - Kochi   

Potholes galore on bypass road

Photo: H. Vibhu

HEAVY DAMAGE: The crumbling road near the Vyttila rail overbridge on National Highway 47. —

KOCHI: The Public Works Department (National Highway wing) is under fire for its inability to maintain the Edapally-Vytilla stretch of the NH 47 bypass in a motorable condition.

Huge potholes dot the entire width of the bypass in places like the northern side of the Vytilla bridge and the eastern side of the Palarivattom bypass junction. The situation is not any better at Edapally Toll Junction.

Though the Edapally-Vytilla bypass is owned by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), it was handed over to the PWD (NH wing) for regular maintenance. A senior PWD official said that the Authority had sanctioned Rs 2.75 lakh for repairing roads damaged in the monsoon, over two months ago. But the contractor has not carried out the work, citing rains as the excuse.

The delay in carrying out preventive-maintenance work and repairs has resulted in the tarred surface being washed away. The PWD has also been unable to maintain the Palarivattom bypass junction in a motorable condition. Experts had suggested the use of mastic asphalt (which has more binding force) to prevent frequent damage to the junction because of the lateral force acting on the surface when vehicles take a turn. But the agency has been unable to upgrade the quality of work.

While the PWD has for long been blaming the NHAI for not sanctioning funds on time, the department is running out of excuses for not carrying out maintenance work despite funds being handed over for the same. The department has also been unable to trim shrubs which hamper visibility at U-turns. This and the rampant violation of one-way rule by motorists at u-turns have been causing numerous accidents.

Neither agency has taken steps to rectify the bumpy ride caused by protruding expansion joints of the bridge on the northern side of Vytilla junction. There is also need to erect some guard stones on the road kerb in many places. The NH 47 that connects the city to Kalamassery, its drains and medians too need urgent repairs in many portions.

The department has sought Rs 4 crores from the NHAI to resurface the Edapally-Vytilla bypass and Rs 3 crores to construct drains and to resurface service roads.

It is learned that the Authority is yet to respond to the proposal.

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