The forenoon rush to use the elevators in the High Court building has forced the authorities to take steps to install escalators in the complex.
The eight-storied complex faces heavy rush of litigants and advocates in the morning and they have to wait a long period to avail the lift facility.
The project will be implemented by the Public Works Department. As per the plan, the escalators will come up at the first and second floor of the court in the first phase. The facility will be extended to fifth floor later. A sum of over `1.5 crore has been earmarked for the project.
PWD building division Executive Engineer Salomi C T said that the first phase of the work will be completed within six months. “The foundation for five floors is being built now. initially the escalator will be set up for two floors,” she said.
The PWD has received sanction for setting up escalators for the third, fourth and fifth floors too. However, the work is yet to be allotted.
Executive Engineer Koshy John said that the foundation work has been entrusted to the civil engineering wing, whereas the responsibility of placing the escalators will be taken up by the electrical engineering wing.
Kerala High Court Advocate Sunil Nath said the escalators will be a beneficial during peak timings at 10.15 am and 1.45 pm. “Once the escalators starts working, then the lifts can be restricted to odd number floors,” he said.
There were several complaints of the lifts getting stuck midway.
However some of the advocates opposed move and said that the authorities should give priority to improve the existing facilities.
“We need another two lifts like capsule lift having more speed and people capacity. Present lifts are too small and very slow,” Advocate Shyam Prashant said.