Deep potholes have resurfaced on Kochi’s 1.75-km Kundannoor-Thevara bridge, creating hazardous conditions for commuters and worsening rush-hour congestion despite a Rs 12.85-crore resurfacing project completed last year.
The bridge, a narrow two-lane link, has developed deep craters at its centre. The latest damage follows repair work carried out by the Public Works Department’s National Highways wing nearly three months ago. The bridge had been resurfaced using stone mastic asphalt, described in the project as an advanced German paving technology that was expected to last five years.
The renewed damage is affecting two-wheelers in particular, while traffic is also backing up at Thevara Ferry Junction and along Pandit Karuppan Road during the morning and evening peaks. Antony P A, a daily commuter who uses the route to take his child to school, said the road had become hazardous and that congestion had intensified around the junction.
Thevara councillor Elizabeth attributed the traffic pressure partly to the narrow road. She said a parallel road was the only long-term solution, as a large volume of vehicles travelling towards Kochi city and areas such as Palluruthy passes through Thevara Ferry Junction.
The area is also dealing with ongoing drainage renovation work. Elizabeth said the work was being carried out in small stretches to reduce its effect on traffic, but the construction activity has added to pressure on the already constrained route. The morning peak, between 7.30am and 10am, is particularly difficult because school buses, office commuters and commercial vehicles converge near the bridge and junction. At least five institutions are located in the region.
Commuters have also reported failures in the recently completed road surface. Santosh Kumar N said the tarring had rolled up in places, producing small humps at multiple locations. He called for urgent rectification measures along the bridge.
The recurrence of potholes has put the focus on the gap between repair expenditure and road performance. The Rs 12.85-crore project was intended to provide a longer-lasting surface, but the latest damage has appeared within months of the most recent repair intervention. The available details do not establish the cause of the failure or whether the repaired sections will be examined as part of a technical review.
Ajitha Nandakumar, chairperson of Maradu municipality, said the civic body would examine the issue and undertake temporary repairs. She said the PWD’s National Highways wing would need to implement a permanent solution. The immediate response is therefore expected to involve temporary patching by the municipality, while responsibility for a lasting repair remains with the PWD wing concerned.
