Even after the completion of total electrification drive in two major Assembly constituencies in Kozhikode urban area, attempts to relocate many of the misplaced lamp posts along national and State highways are yet to gain momentum. Motorists complain that the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is cold-shouldering the issue despite the increase in the number of freak accidents at several locations.
Even after the widening and renovation of many of the interior roads, old lamp posts remain at the same position. Though the KSEB had changed some of the old posts, majority are still remaining at the wrong position interrupting the flow of vehicles.
“Drivers who are not familiar with the route all of a sudden encounter these posts almost located very close to the edges. It is just luck that saves many from freak accidents during the night and rainy season,” says Vipin Hareesh, a resident of Edakkad in the city. He also points out that the lamp posts that caused several such frequent accidents are still in use at the same spots.
Work at snail’s pace
Mavoor road, where a series of renovation works were recently carried out on several stretches, is one of the several roads where danger lurks in the form of misplaced posts.
Though KSEB officials claim that the work to replace all such posts is under way in several locations, it is moving only at a snail’s pace.
Koolimadu and Mukkam routes have recently witnessed a number of freak accidents as light and heavy motor vehicles rammed the posts interrupting power supply. West Hill, Karaparamba and Elathur regions too have witnessed such incidents. In many locations, the posts create bottlenecks during peak hours.
“On small roads, the delay in removing such posts is a big hurdle. Many of the narrowed roads have further shrunk with these man-made obstacles,” say N. Viswanathan, a resident at East Hill. He points out that ample space is available in most of the locations to reposition the posts, but the KSEB is yet to consider the issues seriously.
Meantime, an Assistant Executive Engineer of the KSEB said the department was keen on acting on such cases, noticing the seriousness of the complaints.
“The public can definitely walk into our office and submit the details of such obstructing posts for solution. We are yet to get any such requests for quick action,” he said.
