Kochi Corporation's ₹10-Crore Plan to Fix S.A. Road Unevenness Submitted to High Court
An expert committee has submitted a report to the Kerala High Court detailing a ₹10-crore project by the Kochi Corporation to resurface the 3.10-km S.A. Road, aiming to eliminate frequent level differences along the fast track next to the Kochi metro pillars.
Mayor V.K. Minimol stressed the need for timely fund disbursement for the project, noting that similar undulations exist on both sides of the Aluva-MG Road-Vyttila metro corridor. She stated that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has been informed, and the Kochi Corporation will soon approach the Minister for Public Works.
When asked if the civic body had sought partial funding from Kochi Metro Rail Limited, the mayor said the metro agency cited a lack of funds. The metro had previously indicated that the road-owning agency is responsible for restoration and resurfacing, as the three-year defect liability period for work done after the metro's commissioning has expired.
Engineers have suggested a more comprehensive approach, including work on M.G. Road and Banerjee Road, to provide a lasting solution. Yacub Mohan George, a former Deputy Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), attributed the differential sinking of the road between pile caps to weak soil. He recommended strengthening methods such as sand piling, PVD, or wooden/coconut piles, or casting concrete land slabs between pile caps.
The expert committee's report identifies the primary cause as settlement of the road's four-lane carriageway, with level differences of up to 300 mm in some locations, compromising riding quality and safety. The proposed work involves scarifying the existing bituminous surface over a 4-meter width on each side of the median at affected spots, correcting levels with wet mix macadam, and laying dense bituminous macadam and bituminous concrete. Resurfacing of the full 11-meter carriageway width on both sides is planned to ensure a uniform surface. Additionally, thermoplastic road markings and reflective road studs will be installed for safety. The PWD has been asked to prepare estimates for rectifying similar issues on roads under its jurisdiction.
