Kochi – The Kerala High Court has once again come down heavily on the poor condition of roads in Kochi, particularly highlighting the sorry state of major city stretches like MG Road and Banerjee Road. The court expressed deep concern over the abundance of potholes, uneven paver blocks, and unscientifically designed or damaged manhole covers that pose serious risks to public safety.
During the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL), the court criticized the authorities for their continued negligence despite repeated warnings and observations from the judiciary. “Roads are turning into death traps. Citizens cannot be expected to risk their lives just to commute,” the court observed.
The bench questioned the role of civic bodies and other responsible agencies, asking why timely repairs were not being undertaken and why the roads continue to deteriorate despite the allocation of funds.
The court also noted that the lack of coordination among departments — such as the municipal corporation, the public works department, and water authority — often leads to dug-up roads being left unrepaired for weeks, if not months. It warned that accountability must be fixed and that the court would consider initiating contempt proceedings if the situation doesn’t improve soon.
The High Court has now directed the concerned authorities to submit a detailed report within two weeks, outlining the steps taken and proposed action plans to restore Kochi’s key roads to safe and motorable conditions.
