The Kerala High Court has raised serious concerns about the deplorable condition of pedestrian infrastructure in the city, notably the lack of proper footpaths and street lighting. Justice Devan Ramachandran highlighted the absence of adequate footpaths on M.G. Road, even though it is considered a prominent street. The court noted the non-existence of sidewalks along the stretch from Kacheripady to Seematti, increasing the risk of accidents. The footpath from Kacheripady Junction to the North overbridge is poorly constructed, leading to flooding during rain. The court asserted that a city that cannot be safely navigated by foot fails its citizens. The observations were made during a hearing about the city’s deteriorating road conditions, underscoring the District Collector’s responsibility for the infrastructural shortcomings. Despite previous court orders, improvements to street lighting and footpaths have stalled. Multiple agencies, including the Public Works Department, Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML), and the Kochi Corporation, are involved, but coordinated efforts are lacking. The court instructed the Collector to review and act upon its orders from recent months to resolve these issues expeditiously.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/hc-expresses-concern-over-lack-of-proper-footpaths-in-kochi/article68890297.ece
Category : Kochi
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