The high mast light installed near the first Goshree Island Development Authority (GIDA) bridge, on the GIDA Road, near the High Court three years ago is yet to be switched on. It has been lying in a neglected state ever since it was installed, thanks to the lethargic attitude of the Kochi Corporation. The Corporation has failed to implement the project fully.
According to the Corporation authorities, the total cost of the project is Rs 7 lakh. “The lamp was installed during the time of inauguration of the GIDA bridge. We were unable to turn on the mast light owing to the huge cost required for organising the power supply. We have to take an additional electric line to the area which costs `10 lakh. Also, there were no houses or buildings in the area at the time. So, we had left the project half way through,” a Corporation official said.
Meanwhile, residents of the area said that lack of proper lighting lead to several accidents. “The high mast was installed to give proper lighting to commuters plying through the bridge. The slopes where the approach road and bridge meet requires proper lighting, else it may lead to accidents,” said Antony Puthur, a social worker and a resident in the area.
Residents also demanded immediate action in this regard. “The fund invested for the project cannot go underutilised,” Puthur said.
However, Corporation Town Planing chairman K J Sohan said that immediate steps will be taken to put the high mast lamp to use. “There were no buildings when we installed the light. Now, the functioning of the light has become a necessity as residential areas and some high-rise buildings have came up in the area. Also, we will try to avail ourselves of some sponsorship from the owners of the big buildings to meet the high power supply cost,” Sohan said.