A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Monday criticised the Ernakulam District Collector and the Kochi Corporation for what it called a lukewarm attitude towards repairing potholes and footpaths as well as covering open drains and manholes in the city.
The Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice Anu Sivaramanan observed that the affidavits filed by the District Collector and the Kochi Corporation regarding the steps taken to repair the potholed road and footpaths reflected their lukewarm attitude towards the recurring problems.
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The affidavit filed by Collector M.G. Rajamanickam pointed out that a meeting of all the stakeholders including the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) held on June 23 discussed pre-monsoon maintenance programmes and the repair of public roads and footpaths.
The GCDA had told the meeting the laying of cables by the KSEB was under way along the Kaloor-Kadavanthra stretch, and hence, covering of drains on the footpath along the road could not be completed. The PWD had said that the repair and rectification works were being carried out on roads under their jurisdiction on a war-footing basis.
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The affidavit said the inaction of the Corporation in taking timely action against building owners who had illegally converted footpaths into parking spaces was the main cause of traffic congestion on M.G. Road and other major roads.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) told the meeting that they had repaired potholes and carried out maintenance of drains and footpaths from Edappally toVyttila. The meeting also mooted the setting up of a social network system for turning attention on damaged roads, uncovered drains, damaged slabs and illegal parking.
The Corporation was directed to take action against those who had created illegal parking spaces on footpaths and to remove encroachments on footpaths within 30 days.
The Ernakulam District Police Chief had also been asked to take necessary action against illegal parking and encroachment on walkways.
Repair works
The Corporation in its affidavit said it was not possible to repair potholed roads during the monsoon.
It was taking every step to safeguard the health of citizens by repairing broken slabs. The dumping of construction waste into drains resulted in them getting choked and caused flooding of roads. Works was on to remove silt from major canals including Perandoor and Rameswaram.
The court has adjourned the hearing in the case to August 4.