PWD, KWA told to address poor condition of roads

Thiruvananthapuram: The state human rights commission (SHRC) chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas observed that the prolonged delay in completing works by the Kerala water authority and PWD is resulting in the poor condition of the public roads.

He said the delay in solving the waterlogging issues, maintenance, and installation of pipes are creating problems to the public. The commission also underlined the need to provide the public with smooth and safe travel by eliminating potholes and other issues.

Emphasising on the issue, he has directed the chief engineers of the PWD and the water authority to address the poor condition of the Manacaud-Thiruvallam Road.

He instructed that officials from both the departments must appear in person at the commission's office for a sitting on Oct 10 at 10am with suggestions to resolve the issue.

This action follows a suo moto case registered by the commission based on a news report.

The PWD must clarify in its report when the project to fix the waterlogging at the Kallattumukku Junction on the Manacaud-Thiruvallam Road began, and about the govt department responsible for the project.

It must also carry the details on the number of potholes on the road, the reason for tar peeling off, and when the road repairs can be completed satisfactorily.

The commission has directed the PWD chief engineer to assign an assistant engineer to prepare this report.

The chief engineer (roads) must submit a report by Sept 30 detailing the problem-solving measures taken after reviewing the assistant engineer's report.

Since there are allegations that the road was damaged due to digging for pipe installation, the water authority must explain when the pipes were installed, why there was a delay in filling the pits, and when the pipe installation and pit filling can be completed satisfactorily.

The water authority chief engineer must assign an assistant engineer to prepare this report. The chief engineer must also submit a report by Sept 30 detailing the problem-solving measures after reviewing the assistant engineer's report.