The Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital may well be a beacon of hope for many, but a ride through the pothole-ridden road leading to it is a hellish experience.
The Kannammoola-Medical College road is usually frequented by ambulances but its current situation puts the conditions of patients who are being transported in the vehicles under threat. While the maintenance from the 3.5-km stretch from Pallimukku junction in Pettah to the Medical College via Kannammoola and Kumarapuram has long been on the cards, factors including the boycott of works by contractors have thrown a spanner into the efforts to repair the road.
The prolonged delay in their maintenance as well as the recent downpours have deteriorated the condition of the road that is regarded among the most vital stretches in the city. Besides, the rough surface on portions of road dug up for pipe-laying in the recent past has often prevented motorists from utilising the entire road width.
Making it worse
Worsening the situation is the pipe-laying work that has commenced at the Kumarapuram junction.
“Even while motorists move aside to provide ambulances an unobstructed passage, the potholes and unfinished roads make it extremely difficult for ambulances to ensure the safe and quick transport of patients,” K. Mahesh, an ambulance driver, said. The inordinate delay in repairing the road has also greatly inconvenienced local residents and traders for a long while. According to Pradeep, who runs a bakery at Kumarapuram and resides along with his family in the same building, the pathetic condition of the road has had a significant effect on business. “Our loyal customers included several doctors who resided in the locality. Of late, many have begun to take alternative routes whenever possible. The sales of most traders in the area have fallen considerably during the last two years due to the problem,” he said.
He added that the problems caused due to the dust kicked up whenever vehicles passed by the area has also made life difficult for those residing on either side of the road. He said that the local populace has made numerous pleas to Public Works Minister G. Sudhakaran, but to no avail. While the contract for repairing the stretch had been handed over recently, the contractors’ strike owing to the implementation of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) has further delayed maintenance, Mr. Pradeep said.
