Kochi: The state's chief secretary had to face the ire of the Supreme Court for the government's failure in implementing a court order but the experience looks like no lesson for the officials of the civic agencies in Kochi who pay scant regard to an order of the Kerala High Court on maintaining a key civic amenity in the city.
The High Court's order on July 15 asking Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), Kochi corporation and police authorities to take immediate measures to renovate and maintain Marine Drive, one of the most sought after tourist spots in the city, is yet to be implemented.
"Nothing has been done except evicting the hawkers," said Ranjit G. Thampy who moved the court seeking a direction to the civic agencies for its upkeep. "Cleaning the stretch, changing the broken benches and clearing heaps of garbage have not been taken up. The order is being taken for granted."
The civic authorities have no respect for the HC order, Mr Thampy, a regular morning walker along the Marine Drive, said. The court had issued notice to the agencies based his public interest litigation.
The 2.5 km long picturesque walkway has been lying in dilapidated condition for long. The stretch has become a safe haven for anti-social elements and waste-dumping as the surveillance cameras are not working. It also has no basic facilities such as lights, toilets and chairs.
The court will consider the case on October 3 and secretaries of both the GCDA and the corporation have to appear.
Meanwhile, the hawkers have impleaded in the case against their forceful eviction.
