Traffic congestion on Kuthiran stretch; A Nightmare to the Travellers and Drivers
Since the contract for the work on the six-lane NH 544 was signed in 2009, accidents on the Mannuthy-Wadakkunchery stretch has claimed 233 lives. These deaths were reported under the Mannuthy, Peechi, and Wadakkunchery police station limits from August 2009 to June 2019, according to an RTI query.
The stretch of Mannuthy-Wadakkunchery is a strategic route of transportation between Kerala and Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
Video – Noushad shad’z.
The protesters called for stringent action against National Highways Authority of India and the contract company for delaying the work and loss of precious lives.
As per the original plan, the work required just 30 months. But it had been pending even after 10 years. The work had been done unscientifically, without adhering to any safety standards.
Video – Vinu Kavassery.
The highway section covered 3 km in the forested hill of Kuthiran. As part of the plan to preserve the green cover, a 1-km tunnel was suggested here and its work started in 2009. Work on the tunnel has reached nowhere, posing trouble for motorists.
Another risk is posed by the depressions left as part of the work on an underground pathway at Pattikkad.
Video – Extreme Roads Live.
Usually traffic blocks on the Kuthiran stretch extends to only about 6 or 7 hours. But this time, traffic could not be restored as the roads were damaged beyond repair. This situation is likely to continue till the roads are properly laid.
In olden times, the hills at Kuthiran were the haunt of highway robbers who did not shy away from murder to take away belongings of travellers. As a result, most people avoided travelling at night; the path saw movement of pedestrians and bullock carts only during the day.
News Sources – Manorama Online, Mathrubhumi, The Hindu.
