Third class roads for world-class destination

KOCHI: There is no respite for West Kochi residents who have to face one problem or the other round-the-year.The roads in West Kochi are so vulnerable to monsoon showers that before the end of the season most of them are left non-motorable.Though it has given the tag of one of the ‘50 greatest places of a lifetime’ by the National Geographic, Fort Kochi and Mattancherry areas have also not got the privilege of having world class roads on a par with global tourism destinations.“Why is the civic body not taking any action against the contractors. 

The Corporation not making the provision to act against them for failing to offer minimum guarantee for their work raises suspicion,” said K J Antony, former councillor.A few contractors always winning the bid have raised doubts among the people.“It is not important who takes up the contract. Whoever takes up the work should do it properly,” he said.Moolamkuzhi and Beach Road in West Kochi are full of  potholes. The Njaliparambu-Kunnumpuram Road laid recently has been damaged badly.  According to local councillor Antony Kureethara, the Corporation should form a mobile squad to fill up the potholes at short notice. Leaving the potholes unfilled results in further deterioration of the roads. It should be something on the lines of the KSEB emergency service.“If the potholes are filled up on time, the roads will not be damaged so fast,” he said.It is a matter of great concern that the contractors are not taken to task for not laying them properly,”  RTI activist D B Binu said.If the contractor has violated any condition mentioned in the agreement regarding longevity of the road, the civic body should drag them to court, he said.Dismissing claims that the condition of the roads are in bad shape, Town Planning Committee chairman K J Sohan said that the roads are not so bad as they are made out to be.The chairman also said that there was no clause in the agreement entered into with the contractor to offer minimum guarantee for the work.