Kochi Metro corridor turns cesspool

Kochi: With the monsoon setting in, fears of Kochiites of long traffic snarls proved right on Wednesday as a major section of the metro corridor was inundated as the downpour lasted several hours.

Areas like Kaloor, Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Palarivattom, Kadavanthra South and Jos Junction witnessed waterlogging as the roads were potholed through the section.

The promise of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to relay the roads along the metro corridor, at least up to Kaloor, before the onset of monsoon remained on paper as the roads were repaired only on the small stretch of Aluva-Muttom.

“Except for the Stadium side, the major construction works are almost over. The Kochi Corporation in tie up with the DMRC could have planned and set up an efficient drainage system. Currently, drainages are being built at small stretches without any planning. An instance is Kaloor where the drainage work is progressing in the Deshabhimani-Kaloor stretch. However, the area was waterlogged, and the traffic movement was thrown out of gear,” said Ranganatha Prabhu, president of the Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council (EDRAAC).

Metro officials said the road relaying work could now be started only by August. “However, we’ll fill potholes on a temporary basis.”

Meanwhile, commuters travelling to the South railway station found it difficult to reach the station as both entries were waterlogged.