Water authority mainly responsible for road damages, those damaging it are responsible for repairing it also, says Minister Riyas

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Public Works Minister Mohammad Riyas slammed the water authority for the deplorable state of roads in the state. He said the water authority is mainly responsible for the damages of the roads in the state. The high court had the other day harshly criticised for not repairing the damaged roads in the state. The minister's response was based on this.

The minister said that those damaging the roads have a responsibility to bring it to its original state. The minister said that if the water authority damages the roads, the government order of 2017 had pointed that it should be restored to its original state. The public works department has decided to take a tough approach in this regard. The engineers have been instructed in this regard. The court had told the engineers to resign if they are unable to do so. The contractors have the responsibility to repair the roads within the stipulated period. It is also the responsibility of the concerned officials to check the extent to which it is happening and to ensure that it is done. Many do not know how long this period will be, the minister said.

Responding to the minister’s criticism, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine said the Water Resources Department had some technical hurdles to easily cover the roads. Once the pipe is laid, the pit cannot be closed without testing it. The minister said that if the pit is covered immediately after the pipe is laid, it would have to be dug again during the inspection later. Minister Roshy Augustine said he would meet Minister Riyaz next week to discuss the issue in detail.

The high court had yesterday asked the engineers to resign and go if they cannot make or repair roads so that they can withstand the monsoons. Justice Devan Ramachandran made the remarks while hearing a plea on the poor condition of the roads in Kochi. He also warned that if things are like this those who are in charge of roads will be made accountable and cases would be registered against them.