Edappally, Kochi, is grappling with an escalating pothole crisis on its vital National Highway stretch, severely impacting daily commutes and raising significant safety concerns. Despite mounting public anger and repeated incidents of vehicle damage and injuries, authorities are yet to implement durable repair solutions. This persistent challenge underscores the critical need for proactive, sustainable road infrastructure management to ensure equitable urban mobility and public safety in the rapidly developing metropolitan area.
Commuters traversing the Edappally–Moothakunnam stretch of the National Highway are enduring daily frustrations due to severely damaged road surfaces. What residents describe as superficial repair efforts, primarily involving the dumping of mud and crushed stones into potholes, are proving ineffective and short-lived. These temporary measures are quickly washed away by rains, returning the road to a hazardous state and prompting accusations of deceptive practices rather than genuine solutions. The precarious conditions lead to frequent vehicle skidding and commuter injuries, transforming daily travel into a perilous ordeal.
Key locations along the affected route, including Edappally Overbridge, Kunnumpuram, Thattampady, Cheranalloor Signal Junction, Varappuzha Bridge, Shappumpady, Kochal, Koonammavu, Mesthirippady, Athani, and the Paravur–Moothakunnam road, are riddled with deep potholes. Officials attribute the delay in undertaking proper repairs to the ongoing construction of a new National Highway. However, the public’s demand for immediate levelling and temporary restoration of the most severely damaged sections highlights a critical gap in responsive urban governance, where long-term projects inadvertently compromise immediate safety and accessibility.
The pervasive nature of the pothole problem has significant socio-economic implications. Beyond the direct costs of vehicle damage, the hazardous road conditions contribute to prolonged traffic snarls, stretching for several kilometres during peak hours. This not only results in lost productivity and increased fuel consumption, thereby impacting the city’s carbon footprint, but also instils fear, particularly among elderly passengers and patients, undermining the principle of equitable and safe urban access for all. The current state of affairs directly conflicts with the vision of a sustainable and gender-neutral urban environment where infrastructure supports, rather than hinders, daily life.
Allegations of official apathy and the underutilisation of allocated funds from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) further compound the crisis. While resources for repairs reportedly exist, their ineffective deployment perpetuates the hazardous conditions. The mounting public demand for urgent and effective action underscores the imperative for durable, eco-friendly repair methods and a proactive maintenance regime. Addressing this crisis with sustainable solutions is fundamental to enhancing Kochi’s urban resilience, ensuring safer commutes, and fostering a truly livable and economically vibrant city that prioritises the well-being of its citizens.
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