Road travel between Palakkad and Thrissur continues to be a harrowing affair.
Though the district administration banned large goods vehicles on the stretch during day time to avoid traffic congestion at Vadakkanchery town, Chuvanna Mannu, and Kombazha, where the road remains badly damaged, there were no ease of worries of road users.
On Wednesday and Thursday, traffic snarls lasted several hours at these points and also at Mannuthy.
The Kuthiran hill stretch also is witnessing frequent traffic congestion owing to the poor road condition.
Though repair of the road started two days ago, continuing rain has only worsened the condition.
The repair works are progressing at snail’s pace in areas such as Royal Junction and Thankam Junction at Vadakkanchery and at Vaniyampara, Kuthiran, and Vazhukkanpara.
The widening works of the National Highway stretch between Vadakkanchery and Mannuthy resumed on Tuesday.
The ongoing strike by drivers and construction workers, which entered the 24th day on Thursday, is also a drag on the works.
Panel to assess quality
Meanwhile, the PWD has decided to constitute an expert panel to assess the quality of the widening works.
Minister G. Sudhakaran said the committee was formed in view of allegations of compromises in quality of the works undertaken by the Hyderabad-based construction company.
The government had instructed the company to focus on storm water drains to avoid damage to the road during monsoons.
There would also be renewed focus on road safety. The present plan is to finish repairs of the existing road by September 25.
Meanwhile, there are allegations that lack of funding from the bank consortium to the construction company is delaying the works.
None of the three overbridges proposed as part of the widening works at Mannuthi, Irumbupalam, and Vadakanchery is likely to be completed in the near future though the company resumed the works in the face of public protests.
Among the nine proposed underpasses, works of those at Thenidukku and Thottappaadi are nearing completion. There are land acquisition hurdles at Vaniyampara and Mudikkodu.
It was in 2010 that the company undertook the contract for the widening work, promising that it would be completed in 30 months.
