Bridges turn death traps after dusk
Driving across the Thevara bridges in the evening is no more an easy task. It has nothing to do with the terrific traffic or the like and everything to do with the streetlights.
The 20-odd lights on the old bridge have not been working for a long time, and if this was not enough, the authorities are yet to install streetlights on the new bridge, throwing the commuters on the darkest traffic misery.
Thousands of commuters who drive across the bridges in the evening are finding it hard to commute without the help of streetlights.
Residents of Fort Kochi and Mattanchery and the employees of the navy, port and companies in the Cochin Shipyard have been complaining to the Kochi corporation about the lack of streetlights, but the authorities are yet to take any action, they allege.
“The illumination from the headlights is not at all enough. If it is a road, we can at least see the gutters and try to drive avoiding them.
But since it is a bridge commuting without trouble has become quite impossible. The road also has some rough patches which makes things worse,” said Padmanabha Mallya, who crosses the bridge everyday. He wants the corporation to take steps to fix the lights at both the bridges as early as possible.
The bridges, which link West Kochi to the city, are a preferred route for several motorists. But the lack of light on the bridges is also causing trouble for pedestrians.
“It is difficult to walk along the bridge since most vehicles use dazzler headlights. The bridges are being used by hundreds of vehicles bound for several areas, including Thoppumpady and Fort Kochi.
The lack of light is cause for concern for motorists especially as the road is congested,” said Joseph Abraham who stays near Thevara.
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