Traffic curbs lifted on MG Road; utilities untraceable

The area opposite City Hospital at Padma Junction in MG Road where excavation is on to locate the position of pipelines and cables. Photo: Vipin Chandran

Traffic curbs along MG Road’s western side were relaxed by Saturday evening as efforts to locate utilities proved futile.

Despite excavating a two-metre-wide portion near Padma Junction, pipelines and cables could not be traced.

Traffic regulations had been imposed on the stretch between Abad Plaza Hotel and Padma Junction up to Sunday midnight in view of the excavation work. However, the Kerala Water Authority were not in possession of proper drawings that pointed the location of utilities. The junction’s eastern side might be dug up next week for the purpose. Traffic curbs are likely to be imposed.

A trench will be dug at KPCC junction to trace the location and alignment of utilities there. The utilities will be shifted from Kochi Metro’s alignment after Onam, prior to the commencement of Metro’s civil works along M G Road. Sources associated with the metro were of the opinion that a few pipes and cables could be lying beneath the road median.