Kerala High Court Criticizes Poor Condition of Kochi Roads

Quick Summary

• Kerala High Court (HC) raised concerns over the poor condition of Kochi’s roads, including gaping potholes and unscientific infrastructure like damaged manhole covers and uneven paver blocks.
• The deteriorating road conditions have led to accidents, with one complaint involving a woman motorist whose vehicle fell into a pothole on Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road.
• Major roads like MG Road, Banerjee Road, and areas such as HMT Junction were specifically highlighted for their unsafe conditions.
• Reckless driving by private buses in Kochi has compounded road safety problems. Despite multiple orders from the HC to curb this trend, little progress has been made.
• the court emphasized the need for strict enforcement measures to prevent reckless driving incidents; recent accidents include the death of a college student in Ernakulam North.

Indian Opinion analysis

The sharp critique by the Kerala High Court underscores serious gaps in civic infrastructure maintenance and traffic enforcement in Kochi. With even arterial roads falling into disrepair, there is an urgent need for collaborative efforts between municipal bodies like the Kochi Corporation and state agencies such as the Public Works Department (PWD). Lives are at risk due to both deteriorated road conditions and unchecked reckless driving behaviors-issues that have remained unresolved despite prior judicial interventions.

This inquiry coudl serve as a wake-up call for policymakers. swift action on repairing major city roads combined with stricter oversight of traffic violations may not only enhance public safety but also restore citizen confidence in local governance. The emphasis on accountability from engineers and police signals that systemic inefficiencies must be urgently addressed.

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