KOCHI: Even as road widening works are underway from Kunnara Park to Petta as part of the Metro project, the less than 1 km narrow stretch from Vyttila to Kunnara Park remains neglected. Since the Public Works Department is not willing to take up the work, the stretch has turned out to be a major traffic bottleneck. "The busy and narrow stretch is the worst road in the city. It had small potholes which turned deep and dangerous when the monsoon began. Why do the agencies concerned delay the road-repair works till the first phase of monsoon is over," said Mohan Kumar, a bank employee and a regular commuter.
Though PWD re-laid the small area at the exit point of Vyttila mobility hub with concrete tiles, the agency failed to repair the remaining stretch. "The wear-and-tear and fuel cost is increasing due to the damaged road. The deep potholes have been breaking the leaf springs and axles of buses. If the authorities fail to repair the road on a war footing, we will be forced to stop the service," said representatives of the private bus operators association.
Since the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is carrying out the Metro works along the stretch, the agency is being blamed for the pathetic condition of the road. "We are helpless as the road is still under the ownership of the PWD. But, people are under the impression that the Metro agency is responsible for the poor state of the stretch," said sources at DMRC. PWD (roads) executive engineer Benny John told DC that the assistant engineer has been asked to submit a proposal on the temporary repair works to be carried out. "Even if the road is re-laid it will not withstand the first spell of rains as the area has no proper drainage. The issue can be permanently resolved if the other agencies concerned like the City Corporation take measures for drainage facility," he said.
