Thiruvananthapuram: The neglected state of Ambalamukku-Muttada-Paruthipara road is a reflection of the apathy of authorities. The work to replace old and worn out premo pipes, which began around a year ago, has left the stretch in a totally dilapidated condition that around 3,000 families living in the area are suffering every day.
The Confederation of Residents’ Associations, an apex body of around 25 residents’ associations in the area, has decided to conduct a road blockade on September 24 at Paruthipara Junction demanding repair of the road.
The 6.5km road from
Ambalamukku to
Paruthippara via
Muttada gives easy connectivity to people living in Peroorkada side to reach the MC Road. It is one of the best residential areas in the city. Now, motorists have a tough time negotiating the pits and bumps in the 4.5km stretch from Ambalamukku to Muttada. Also,
dust troubles commuters whenever a heavy vehicle passes by. The 2km stretch from Muttada to Paruthippara is in dire straits owing to pipe laying works. The road was full of muddy puddles when it rained in the past month.
CRA joint convener Cyriac Joseph said that a meeting of all stakeholders were convened in March and the
PWD agreed to complete tarring works by May 31, but, nothing materialized. “We also have serious concerns about the quality of pipes laid in the stretch. Leaks are reported in various areas on the road on a daily basis,” he said.
It is not just the bad condition of the road that worries people. After PWD dumped gravel on the road, in an apparent act to make it motorable, dust from the road has started affecting the health of the people. Business of shops in the area has been severely affected for the past one year. Sivaprasad, who runs a wayside eatery in Muttada-Paruthipara stretch, said that he had closed down his eatery for over a month due to the dust menace.
Ajitha, who runs a small shop, too said that people have apprehensions in buying food packets covered with dust from their shops. Murugan, a nearby cobbler, said that he has developed suffocation after works began on the stretch.
“If a heavy vehicle passes by, dust will raise and block the visibility. It is difficult to sit in the shops. Still we come and open the shops because we have no other means of income. We have met the authorities several times. They gave false promises and made us fools. Now we are not ready to listen to them. We want this to be solved at the earliest,” said Unni, a trader at Muttada Junction.
“This is the major road for people in Nedumangadu and Palode areas to reach Medical College. However, now not even autorickshaws ply in this stretch. Students, patients and senior citizens are the worst affected,” Unni said.
D Rajappan, secretary of Paruthippara Residents’ Association, said that the protest will begin as a procession from Ambalamukku Junction at around 8am on September 24 and will reach Paruthipara Junction where they will conduct a road blockade. “Around 500 people, representing around 25 residents associations, will attend the protest gathering,” he said.
