Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s depleted infrastructure came under the spotlight after the Kalady Sri Sankara bridge, on the arterial route that gives access to the Nedumbassery international airport, was closed down on Saturday after a large hole developed on the bridge. Cement had fallen off the base of the bridge, exposing the metal rods.
Local residents blocked traffic on the bridge on Saturday, demanding the immediate upkeep and maintenance of the bridge and road. Tens of thousands of vehicles pass over the bridge every day, going towards Thrissur or towards Kottayam, with many of the vehicles taking the same bridge on their way to the airport.
There were more protests on Sunday at a meeting called by district collector Raja Manickam to discuss the maintenance of the bridge. Residents shouted slogans against the collector and also directed their anger at the local MLA, Jose Thettayil, arguing that the administration had for long ignored their pleas to undertake maintenance work on the bridge.
“It has been decided to take up the repair work on the bridge immediately. The protests need to be called off and all should join hands to ensure that the work is completed soon,” Raja Manickam said on Sunday.
The traffic halt on the route means a circuitous journey for thousands of people who have to travel to the airport from the southern and eastern districts of the state.
The strong monsoon rains have also damaged roads in most parts of the state, including the commercial capital, Kochi. Potholes on the arterial Vytilla bypass and some junctions in Kochi have reduced traffic in the city to a crawl.
In hill districts such as Pathanamthitta and Idukki, roads have been ravaged by the monsoon rains, particularly in places like Ranni.
Road repairs are unlikely to materialise soon because the public works department contractors are on strike, demanding payment for the work they have done. It is estimated that the state government owes them roughly Rs26 billion (Dh1.5 billion).
The state government is facing a financial crunch and recently announced a hike in taxes across the board, covering sectors including liquor and plantations. A policy decision by the ruling United Democratic Front government to impose prohibition in a phased manner means the state government will forgo Rs70 billion in revenue that it currently earns from liquor sales.
