KOZHIKODE: The Aravind Ghosh road, which has become a nightmare for vehicle users and pedestrians, would get a facelift soon with the asphalting set to start soon. One of the main roads towards the railway station in the city, it had become accident- prone with numerous potholes though funds had been sanctioned for the repairing work years back. Recently, a pregnant woman who was travelling in a vehicle from her office was injured after she fell into a ditch on the road.
The construction of drainage and repair of footpath are progressing on either side of the road now. The corporation had earmarked over Rs 4 crore in 2014 for upgrading three main roads in the city as 'model roads,' including the Aravind Ghosh road, but the work was hit due to the delay in signing the agreement and other issues. Moonalingal councillor Thomas Mathew said that the delay was due to the election code of conduct and rains. "The drainage work will be completed soon and the asphalting will start thereafter. Once completed, the entire stretch from Kozhikode railway station till Kannur road would get a makeover," he added.
The road development is funded through two projects which also include Cherootty road- Valiyangadi and Keshava Menon road.
"Many a time we faced obstacles, but I hope that by December the road would be ready for smooth transport," added Nadakkavu councillor P. Kishan Chand, who spearheaded the project during the last council. "We hope that within one week the work will be over," said Mr Mohammed Suhail, Kozhikode district secretary of Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association, who is running his hotel near the road. The Aravind Ghosh road is also the dumping yard of waste in the city. Recently, the civic body had removed loads of waste from the sides of the road after a public outcry.
