KOCHI: The Thammanam-Pulleppady Road on Sunday witnessed a novel protest by a group of BJP activists, who stood inside a waterlogged ditch located bang in the middle of the road, conducting a fund drive using a bucket.
The protest was organised by the BJP Local Committee against the delay in carrying out the repair work on the Thammanam-Pulleppady road. More than 20 people took part in the protest that began around 10 am and continued for over an hour.
According to the BJP leaders, the road continues to be in a dilapidated condition owing to the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities concerned.
“The development of Thammanam- Pulleppady Road was included in the city development plan mooted almost three decades ago. However, a comprehensive plan for the road is yet to be drafted. Recently, the Corporation had carried out patchwork on the road in view of the FIFA Under 17 World Cup.
However, the recent rain and waterlogging following a pipe burst in the region have created a 3-feet deep pit in the road just outside the CPM branch office at Kathrikadavu.
This has been troubling the motorists, especially at night,” said C G Rajagopal, a BJP leader.
“The broken pipe was not mended properly, which shows the lack of coordination between the Kerala Water Authority and the Corporation. We will intensify the strike if an immediate solution is not drawn out,” he said.In a symbolic protest, the amount collected during the ‘fund drive’ and other building materials will be handed over to the Mayor on Monday.