Bitumen shortage halts road work in Kochi

KOCHI: The roads owned by the Kochi Corporation will have to wait for a facelift even as emergency road repair woks of other agencies are progressing. According to civic authorities, works have been put on hold due to scarcity of bitumen. Strike called by corporation contractors in protest against imposing CPWD rates for works, has also hit the road maintenance works.  

During a recent council meeting, opposition councilors alleged that while road maintenance works by Public Works Department, Greater Cochin Development Authority, National Highway Authority of India and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation are progressing, roads owned by the corporation are still in dilapidated condition.

Corporation’s Works Committee chairperson Soumini Jain said  scarcity of bitumen was the major problem for the delay in repair works. “Though funds have been allocated for road works, there is not enough stock of bitumen. Strike called by contractors is also affecting works,” she said.

The quality of bitumen supplied to the civic body has also hit the works. The Mayor has asked the engineering department to look into the matter.
Refuting the explanation by works committee chairperson, the corporation contractors alleged that the civic administration is trying to evade from the responsibility through false statements.

“While other agencies have been getting enough bitumen, why the corporation alone is not getting it?  If the Mayor and higher authorities are committed, they could have taken necessary steps to ensure enough stock for the emergency repair works,” said a contractor, on condition of anonymity.   

Adv. N.A Shafeeq a councilor had urged the Mayor to take immediate steps to address the issues of contractors.