Deep potholes on the MC Road in Angamaly, including at the Nayathode junction leading towards Kochi airport, are posing a serious risk to motorists, particularly two-wheeler users travelling at night or during rain, according to a report by Malayala Manorama and complaints from local residents.
Authorities have repaired potholes near the Central Junction and in a few other parts of Angamaly town, but dangerous stretches remain on other sections of the route. Residents say the repairs appear to have stopped after only limited patchwork, leaving several potholes open on a road carrying heavy traffic.
The Nayathode junction is considered particularly hazardous because vehicles approach it from three directions and traffic volume is high. The junction connects the MC Road with the route towards the airport, making it an important movement point for airport-bound traffic as well as local commuters. Residents have urged the authorities to address the potholes immediately before they result in further crashes.
The report said potholes are also present on the MC Road section running from Nayathode towards Kalady. Motorcyclists and scooter riders face a heightened risk because the damaged sections are not always visible in advance. At night and during rain, water collects in the potholes, making it difficult for drivers to judge their depth and position.
The danger extends beyond vehicles that directly strike the damaged road surface. Motorists often make sudden manoeuvres to avoid potholes, increasing the possibility of collisions with vehicles travelling alongside them. Drivers following behind may also be unable to respond in time when a vehicle ahead swerves unexpectedly.
Residents said two-wheeler riders have repeatedly fallen after hitting potholes. The report also noted that the area has witnessed several accidents and deaths in the past, adding to concerns about leaving damaged sections unrepaired on a busy junction. No official accident figures or details of a specific recent crash were provided in the report.
Another concern is the condition of sections that have already been repaired. Potholes have reportedly reappeared at locations where earlier repairs were carried out, prompting allegations from residents that the work was not durable or of adequate quality. They also said some of the potholes recently filled within the town may have been repaired only as a temporary measure.
Residents are calling for the authorities to identify the underlying reasons for the repeated road damage rather than continuing with isolated patchwork. They want repairs to be carried out at all hazardous locations, with the quality of the work checked after completion.
The immediate demand is for the potholes at Nayathode junction, particularly on the airport-bound turn, to be filled without delay. Residents have also urged the authorities to inspect the wider MC Road corridor proactively and repair dangerous sections before more accidents occur.
