Kochi: The Public Works Department (PWD) has undertaken a “patch work” drive to fill up potholes in the city following the death of a youth in a mishap caused by bad road condition. However, residents associations have come out against the “temporary arrangement” while demanding for a permanent solution.
“The current project is for filling up potholes and tarring them instead of repairing entire stretches. We have finished works in Trippunithura town and railway station road, Goshree Road, MG Road, Kakkanad-Pipeline Civil lane among others. The drive in the last three weeks cost us nearly Rs 6 crore,” said a senior PWD official in charge of the Ernakulam region.
The only stretch where tarring was done in full was Banerjee Road.
Residents, however, are not happy with the temporary arrangement done in a ‘shabby’ manner. “The metals and pebbles are laid unevenly at many areas like the stretch before the Vytilla underpass. Vehicles, especially two-wheelers face the risk of overturning,” said Anil Kumar V., a resident of Vytilla.
“The patch works are not a permanent solution. With uneven surface around, the metals could come up in two to three weeks’ time and the road condition will be worse than what it was. What is needed is re-tarring of the entire stretches. The current exercise is only a wastage of public money,” said Rangadasa Prabhu, president, Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council .
However, PWD official denied the charges saying the re-tarring over the potholes is being done in two layers.
