The inordinate delay in repairing the roads that were dug for the Piravom Drinking Water Project by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) is causing hardships for both pedestrians and motorists.
Now, residents are up in arms against the apathetic attitude of the authorities. The residents at Nettoor, under the banner of Janakeeya Samithi, staged a protest dharna demanding immediate restoration of the nearly half-km Kettezhathu Kadavu Road (Market Road) on Friday. The residents blocked vehicular movement through the road which affected the functioning of the nearby Maradu Agricultural Urban Wholesale Market (AUWM) and the ongoing construction work of water tank. “Though the pipe-laying work on the stretch was completed a couple of months ago, the authorities are yet to start the repair work. Now, with monsoon strengthening, the road has turned muddy and negotiating the stretch is a nightmare for the commuters. The road is always busy as it is being used by the vehicles from the AUWM and several private companies in the area,” said Faizal, the leader of the Samithi. According to them, the authorities are turning a blind eye towards the sorry state of the road.
Meanwhile, the residents at Mulanthuruthy said they were facing a similar problem. According to them, the 5-km stretch from Peppathi to Pulikkamali and the 4.5-km stretch from Thuppampadi to Vattukunu in Mulanthuruthy are in a pathetic state following the pipe-laying work.
Meanwhile, the PWD officials said they have already started the restoration work of the roads.
“The work will be completed within couple of months,” said Benny, PWD executive engineer.
According to the Maradu Municipal authorities, the repair work of the market road will be conducted using a fund of Rs 40,000 allotted by the KWA.
The authorities said further works on the road, including the re-laying, will be conducted after two months using a fund of Rs 19 lakh allotted by the PWD,” they said.