Offering a relief to commuters, the Public Works Department (PWD) has commenced the repair work on the SN Junction- Puthiyakavu stretch here.
While the work progressed at a snail’s pace on Wednesday owing to rain, it was more fast on Thursday, with the restoration having been completed from SN Junction till the old bus station, on Thursday. The road was wrecked when the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) dug it up for pipe laying for a potable water project.
According to PWD officials, the metaling work on the stretch would be completed in 15 days’ time.
“The bitumen surfacing will be done after the monsoon season. The total cost of the work is `89 lakh. The metaling work is being done at a depth of 1 metre to prevent formation of potholes during rain,” the PWD official said.
Meeting Held
Tripunithura municipal chairman R Venugopal held a meeting with PWD and KWA officials on Thursday to sort out the issue between the two departments on the digging up of the road at SN Junction to connect pipelines. According to KWA officials, the SN Junction must be dug up to connect the old pipeline with the newly-laid pipeline.
On Wednesday, PWD officials blocked the move of the KWA to dig up the road at the Junction. PWD officials said that they would not allow the KWA to dig up the road restored by them. They said that the KWA should have connected the pipes while laying them.
The chairman said that the connectivity of pipelines was crucial for the smooth supply of water to the region.
“I have requested the PWD to allow the KWA to conduct the pipeline connection work at SN Junction. The department officials have agreed to take immediate action to resolve the issue,” he said.
Strike may be Called Off
The Private Bus Operators Association is likely to call off the bus strike planned from next month in Tripunithura. According to district Private Bus Owners Association general secretary M B Sathyan, the strike was called demanding immediate road repair.
“The PWD has started repair work on the stretch. However, we will take a final decision only after getting assurance from the authorities that the work will be completed immediately. We will inspect the site and definitely call off the strike if we are satisfied with it,” he said.