Kochi: The approach roads to many bridges in the district have sunk due to technical flaws in their construction, resulting in bumpy rides with dangerous consequences. Examples are bridges in the NH-bypass such as Kumbalam, or the one near Dream Hotel at Elamkulam.
Recently a checker in a KSRTC bus, Krishna Pye, was thrown forward and suffered internal injuries that ultimately led to his death after the driver of the low-floor bus slammed on the brakes suddenly at the Elamkulam bridge.
"The driver had no option than to put on brakes after the car in front halted abruptly seeing the uneven approach road. It can't be noticed from a distance, and to make matters worse, there are no streetlights there," said a senior KSRTC official.
Traffic experts like T. Elangovan, former Director of National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) attribute the uneven surface to technical flaws.
"This happens when the provision for transition curve is not provided at the designing stage. The danger is when the iron railing at the edges pops out after some time. It is especially dangerous to two-wheel riders," said Elangovan, head of Traffic and Transport Planning division of the agency.
