Kochi corporation's pothole-filling machine remains unused amid road woes

Time of India

a day ago

Kochi: Despite navigating through city roads remaining a challenge for commuters, the pothole-filling machine purchased by Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML) for Kochi corporation has been sitting unused in its yard for two months.
The contractor responsible for the machine claims the machine was no longer needed because they have already filled the total area of potholes specified in the agreement.
The corporation is bound to pay around Rs 1 crore as operation and maintenance cost of the machine for one year. "Most of the city roads are damaged. But the machine, which was procured by CSML by spending crores of rupees, is not available for filling potholes.
Despite several councillors seeking the machine for filling potholes in their areas, the authorities fail to respond," said Antony Kureethra, corporation opposition leader.
"Many roads in the city, like SA Road and KK Road and roads in Thoppumpady and Fort Kochi areas, are in a pathetic condition. Still, the authorities are unable to avail of the pothole-filling machine for repair works for the past two months," Kureethra added.
The corporation authorities, meanwhile, cite that the total area of potholes to be repaired within a year was already over. "So, the contractor has shifted the machine to the CSML yard at Kalamassery. The issue is that the machine is lying idle at a time when it is most needed," said works standing committee chairperson Seena. "The private firm which is entrusted with the operation of the machine has not signed an agreement with the corporation.
However, the private firm and CSML have signed the agreement. It is the corporation which has to give operation and maintenance costs every year, however it doesn't have any role in the operation of the machine," she said.
"As per an explanation given by mayor M Anilkumar, many councillors availed the machine for relaying roads, whereas the use of the machine should have been limited to pothole filling. The relaying of roads should have been done by other contractors using paving machines.
Excessive and unnecessary use of pothole-filling machines resulted in exceeding the set total area to be filled even while many roads remain pothole-ridden," she added.
Opposition councillors also alleged that the silt pusher brought for desilting drains has become a significant liability for the civic body. "Despite spending crores to purchase silt pusher, officials report that it is ineffective in removing silt.
Due to the lack of progress, new contracts have been awarded for desilting the drains. Not only is the machine unable to alleviate waterlogging, but it also incurs substantial operational and maintenance costs.
A bill over Rs 5 lakh was given for removing approximately 502 cubic metres of silt in 63 hours. Thus, the corporation had to give Rs 1,016 per cubic metre. In contrast, the municipality pays only Rs 247 per cubic metre while private contractors are deployed through tender processes," Kureethra said.
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