: It is not just works carried out by various service providers that cause damage to the roads. Frequent pipe-bursts, pipeline and manhole replacement works add to the problem. In many cases, the damaged road and the large trenches dug by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) remain as they are, leaving the stretch a sheer nightmare for pedestrians and motorists. The roads, which have been dug up, have not been restored to its original position. Though the KWA has filled up the dug up portion with sand, the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) are yet to take up restoration works. The recent spell of rain has caused water-logging in the damaged portion, making matters difficult for pedestrians as well as motorists.
However, the KWA appears not to have learnt from its mistakes of not completing certain works before the onset of monsoon as has now happened with the replacement of decades-old brick made manholes with concrete ones. The sewerage wing of the water utility took up replacement of manholes at Kowdiar and Sasthamangalam areas very recently, but had to put it on hold half way due to monsoon, causing disturbance to motorists.
Of the 30 manholes that were to be replaced on the Ambalamukku- Kuravankonam stretch, the utility could only replace 6 and the work had been slowed down due to rains. In the process, the dug up portion remained as it is, which could result in further damage to the roads during rains.
A senior official said they were unable to take up work ahead of monsoon due to delay in getting clearance from the PWD and KRFB.
