KOCHI: The techies working at Infopark in the periphery of the city are a unhappy lot owing to the risk to their life as they move on the narrow Kakkanad- Infopark road to reach the workplace and back. The parking on both sides of the road also gives them enough trouble while lack of sufficient public transportation facilities is the problem with those who don't own vehicles.
The speeding lorries of Kochi Corporation carrying waste to Brahmapur-am waste treatment plant is a nightmare for the techies on the Kakkanad-Infopark road, especially in the mornings.
“They are a threat to our life and the stench from the lorries is unbearable. Once you are behind the vehicle in a two-wheeler, you are almost trapped. One will have to bear with the smoke as well as the stench from such vehicles as it is almost impossible to overtake them,” said Krishna Priya, an Infopark employee.
She said that with only a frightened mind one will be able to negotiate such vehicles in two-wheelers when they come from the opposite side. There is not even a speed breaker to control them on the road.
The Kakkanad-Infopark road witnesses heavy traffic during peak hours and is not manned by traffic cops. Street lights which do not function add to the risk; especially for women.
“Even though the area is acknowledged as accident prone, the unavailability of an ambulance service and other emergency medical facilities elevate the risk" said Kripesh.
The initiatives taken by Prathidhwani, the welfare association of IT employees, in order to bring the issues to the attention of the authorities could make only limited impact so far.
“At the end of the day, the interest of the authorities is invested in bringing new companies and never for the uplift of the basic requirements,” said Prathidhwani treasurer Madhavan N.
They all have now pinned their hopes on the second phase of the Kochi Metro Rail. However, the same is delayed due to pending approval for the project from the Centre.
