KOCHI: Apart from shops at every corner, crowded traffic and the flow of people, the junctions in the city have one other thing in common. The roads have all been invaded by potholes and every rainy season, the situation gets worse. The potholes at the Rajaji Junction leading to the KSRTC stand is one of the worst affected for passers-by.The Ernakulam District Residents Associations Apex Council (EDRAAC) president Rangadasa Prabhu said, “It is so obvious that people are facing a lot of trouble because of the bad condition of the roads. Instead of fixing this problem once and for all by re-tarring the roads, the authorities just patch up the potholes. And with constant tarring, the roads have risen above the pavement paths.For example, the K P Vallon Road at Kadavanthra. As a result, water flows into our houses, he says.But the Works Standing Committee , Kochi Corporation, says that they have been allotted at least Rs 18,12,34,786 for the development and maintenance of the roads.“This year we have been allotted more money for the roads than earlier because the government realised that the condition of the roads here were found to be pathetic,” said Vincent K of the Plan Fund department, Kochi Corporation.However, Prabhu says that the authorities are not making proper use of the funds that have been allotted to them for the development of the roads. “If the government could use better quality materials for the roads here the problem of potholes won’t arise.” Officials say that the it is the responsibility of the residents to create measures to avoid water from entering their residential area.Says Assistant Engineer Francis Sebastian, Kochi Corporation - “Until the government decides to use the best materials (Bitumen- Mecaden and Bitumen- Concrete instead of the present chipping carpet) that are more costly for the construction of the roads, we cannot do anything.” There are many other factors contributing to the deteriorating condition of the roads such as the constant work by various inter-government organisations on the roads.” All the important exchange lines in the city pass underground.Whenever the water authorities want to fix their pipes they dig into the roads.The same is the case with the BSNL wires. As long as they continue to dig up our roads and patch it up, they will obviously deteriorate. If this continues, our road conditions will remain this way forever,” explains Prabhu.Another government engineer, who does not wish to be named, said, “Our leaders say that since Kerala is prone to be affected by the rains for most of the year, the roads can never be properly maintained. This is untrue, because there are many other states in our country affected by harsh climates, and the roads there are much better. This is all just an excuse.The quality of the tar and the materials used to make our roads are not up to the mark. And because the quality of water is not good, whenever rainwater falls onto the roads, it is easily absorbed into the ground thus displacing the soil. When heavy vehicles go through these roads, potholes form.” The resident association president offers a solution to such a problem. “If the government officials allow the residents’ association to supervise the work of the roads in our locality, the condition of the roads will definitely be better. We could keep a check on what is happening.But the government officials are not happy about this proposal. If they give us a chance, the civil society is willing to help them,” he adds.
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