KSRTC, CPWD at loggerheads over damaged roads

KOCHI:  Come rains and it is time to dodge potholes and water-logged roads. And when it happens at bus stops,  it becomes all the more difficult for commuters who are often seen travelling with bag and baggage.While passengers struggle to reach the KSRTC bus stand at boat jetty braving dirt, potholes and stink, the authorities concerned are at loggerheads on who should take the blame.KSRTC officials said that it was the Central Public Works Department’s responsibility to ensure that the damaged roads were properly repaired. V V Roy, station-master at the bus stand, said, “When the CPWD raised the level of the pavement leading to the boat jetty, which is adjacent to the bus stand, the flow of rainwater from the stand got blocked.”Besides, a sewerage pipe from the stand to the drainage  broke down leading to further water-logging. But Antony, Assistant Planning Engineer, said, “No pipe was broken in the process. In fact, a few months ago, we built a sewerage pipe so that it would prevent problems of water-logging.  If there is a blockage in the pipe, it is not our responsibility as we do not have the maintenance funds.”When asked about the raising of pavement which has allegedly increased the problem of water-logging, the officials said such a measure benefited many people who come to the boat jetty everyday.  “Before we lifted the pavement by just 30 cm from the KSRTC ground, the area leading to the boat jetty was in a poor condition,” Antony said.Lottery vender S Mani said, “The pipe leading to the drainage was blocked as plastic bottles and other garbage used to be dumped into it. Somebody has to maintain these pipes to avoid this mess.”