Once again, the Karaparamba-Karikkamkulam stretch of the Narikunni-Balussery State Highway has almost become unmotorable.
Residents and shopkeepers hold the authorities responsible for the lack of timely maintenance. “It is a harrowing experience for motorists once the rains set in. Minor accidents have become a routine affair,” K. Jayan, a resident, says.
Vehicles have to pass through risky potholes throughout the 900-metre stretch of the road. Patchworks done for namesake have come off.
Adding to the woes is the overloading of vehicles and unauthorised parking on the sides of the road.
Already a pothole at the Karaparamba junction leading to Eranhipalam junction is fasting evolving into a crater.
Jammed junctionThis junction, where five roads converge, is nightmare for both motorists and pedestrians.
The roads lead to the Eranhipalam junction; Kunduparamba; East Hill; Karikkamkulam; and People’s Road linking to the East Hill-Chakkorathukulam road.
The junction does not have a traffic signal. A policeman, posted during daytime, even fails to serve the purpose.
PotholesPotholes have developed on the road in front of the mosques and madrassas at Karaparamba, Karikkamkulam, and at the Government Homeopathic College.
A few meters from the Karaparamba junction is the bus shelter constructed by the Kozhikode Corporation, in front of the commercial complex housing a supermarket and textile shops.
This was primary done to control traffic. However, it is seen that speeding private buses refuse to enter the bus bay sometimes.
P.S. Abbdul Gafoor, a businessman, says that on-and off-street parking is another problem experienced at the Krishnan Nair road junction. Mostly, heavy vehicles transporting cement illegally park on the road. Lorries delivering chicken to slaughterhouses and loading scarp from a scrap-store hinder the free movement of vehicles, he adds.
