KOCHI: “How many more lives do they need to end this once and for all,” Lakshmikuttiamma’s eyes were filled with anger and frustration when asked about the death of Ebin Paul and the delay in undertaking works on the Palarivattom - Kakkanad stretch.
The residents and shop owners along the stretch have been witnessing such mishaps for a long time. Many of them are the victims too. “My father died in this same road five years ago. He was walking along the footpath when the mishap happened. Protests happened as usual. Once the patchwork was over, everyone forgot about the core issue,” said Mini, a stationary shop owner.
Surprisingly, most of the patch works happen during daytime causing troubles to motorists and pedestrians.
“They could have done this at night but they do it only during peak hours. Even after getting a deserted road last Thursday due to hartal, they didn’t do anything,” claims Pradeep, an auto driver from Chembumukku.
Shabby work
Though repair work is going on, metals and pebbles are laid uneven, causing two-wheelers to skid off the road. “Many fall down here every day. Luckily, most of them escape with minor injuries, “says Rojin, a shopowner of Vazhakkala. He added that the road is a gold mine for ruling fronts.
“Besides party members, contractors, KWA and PWD officers get kickbacks everytime the stretch is repaired. Unless they re-tar the entire stretch, nothing will change,” adds Rojin.