The Kerala Lokayukta has directed the PWD to clear all unauthorized metal pipes and telecommunication cables from bridges and culverts within three months to ensure pedestrian safety and restore road width.

  • PWD Chief Engineer ordered to remove all protruding pipes, clamps, and cables within 3 months.
  • Mandatory restoration of the prescribed width for pedestrian pathways.
  • Strict requirement for prior clearance from road authorities for future installations.
  • Independent verification of works to be conducted by the Road Safety Commissioner.

A Division Bench of the Kerala Lokayukta, comprising Justice N. Anilkumar and Upa Lokayukta Justice Ashok Menon, has issued a decisive directive to the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) (Bridges). The order mandates the removal of all unauthorized and hazardous utility installations—including protruding pipes, brackets, and cables—that obstruct pedestrian pathways across bridges and culverts statewide.

The legal intervention follows a petition filed by Ravi Ulleyeri of Kozhikode, who highlighted a systemic failure in maintaining public infrastructure. The complainant argued that metal pipes installed for water supply and haphazardly drawn telecommunication cables have significantly reduced the effective width of bridges, posing severe risks to pedestrians and motorists alike.

Read Also:Trump's 2024 grocery photo op now haunts Republicans in the midterms

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this ruling addresses a critical gap in urban utility management. For years, service providers have treated public bridges as convenient conduits for cabling without adhering to safety protocols. This judicial push forces a shift toward integrated infrastructure planning, ensuring that utility expansion does not come at the cost of human safety.

"The unchecked proliferation of utility fixtures on public bridges is a ticking time bomb for urban pedestrian safety."

Following the Lokayukta's prompt, the Road Safety Commissioner ordered an inquiry by the Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement) in Kozhikode, which confirmed the existence of these hazards. The Lokayukta has now ordered joint inspections between the PWD and service providers to either relocate or re-route these installations, preferably burying them beneath the bridge deck where technically feasible.

Beyond the cables, the bench also focused on general structural decay. The PWD has been ordered to rectify damaged railings, corroded brackets, and defective electrical installations. To ensure compliance, the department must submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) supported by photographic evidence, which will be independently verified by the Road Safety Commissioner.

Did You Know?: Many international cities use 'Utility Tunnels' specifically designed to house cables and pipes, preventing the need to attach them to the exterior of bridges and ensuring easier maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the deadline for the PWD to comply with the order?
A: The Lokayukta has stipulated a strict deadline of three months for the removal and relocation of all unauthorized installations.

Q2: How will the government prevent this from happening again?
A: Utility providers must now obtain formal clearance from the competent road-owning authority before any future installation of pipelines or cables on public bridges.