Kochi: High court has sought instructions from the state govt regarding financial assistance to rectify the undulations and settlements along the 3.10km stretch of SA Road from Vyttila Metro Station to Manorama Junction, as the proposed work is estimated to cost Rs 10 crore.A bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar issued the directive in response to a PIL filed by Pauly Vadakkan of Kadavanthra, Kochi, seeking directions to the authorities to address dangerous road surface irregularities that have developed around Metro pillars along the Kochi Metro corridor. An expert committee report, submitted in compliance with HC’s earlier direction, stated that the undulations, primarily caused by settlement of the carriageway, have resulted in level differences of up to 300mm at certain locations along SA Road, adversely affecting riding quality and traffic safety.The report further stated that the proposed rectification work involves scarifying the existing bituminous surface over a width of 4.0m on either side of the median at the affected locations, correcting the level differences with wet mix macadam (WMM) of the required thickness, and subsequently laying dense bituminous macadam (DBM) and bituminous concrete (BC) layers. Resurfacing has also been proposed for the full carriageway width of 11.0m on either side of the median.Considering the magnitude of the work and the financial constraints of the Kochi municipal corporation, the expert committee suggested that the state provide financial assistance for the works. The report also stated that a letter had already been issued to the public works department requesting it to prepare a detailed estimate and initiate the necessary action.After perusing the report, HC directed Kochi corporation secretary to file an affidavit within a week, along with the communications addressed to PWD requesting the preparation of the detailed estimate referred to in the expert committee’s report. Accordingly, HC adjourned the petition to July 17.
