KOCHI: As protest intensifies, the blame game picks up. The District Collector has called the accident that claimed the life of Ebin Paul an unfortunate incident and blamed the Public Works Department (PWD) for lagging the work despite many warnings.
“Considering the pathetic condition of the road, several meetings and discussions were held with the PWD officials and contractors. To review the works of the PWD, a meeting has been called,” he added.
District Collector Mohammad Y Safirulla also stressed the lack of efforts from the part of contractors for the lagging of the works.
Meanwhile, M T Shabu, PWD executive engineer, PWD Roads Division, Ernakulam said due to the recent rains in Kochi, the workers are not able to continue their works on the Palarivattom- Kakkanad stretch. “For the last two days, Kochi was receiving heavy rainfall due to which the potholes are filled with water, delaying the work,” said Shabu.
“We have restarted the patchwork and if climate favours, we will finish the patchwork along the Palarivattom- Civil Line Road stretch within a week,” he added.Meanwhile, Thrikkakara Youth Congress Mandalam Committee staged a siege at Alinchuvadu Junction on Monday against the lackadaisical approach of the PWD in completing the patchwork along the stretch.
“Even after the death of a youngster, the PWD is not taking up the repair works of the road seriously,” said Unni Kakkanad, Youth Congress Leader.He added that if proper action is not taken by the authorities regarding the works on the Civil Line Road stretch, more protests will be staged in the city.