In a continuing matter concerning the deplorable condition of roads in Kerala, the Kerala High Court on August 27, 2025 directed the amicus curiae to independently verify the road repair and maintenance works claimed to have been undertaken by the Kochi Municipal Corporation.

 

The matter was heard by Justice Devan Ramachandran, who has been monitoring road safety and infrastructure issues across the state for several years. The Court has repeatedly emphasized that poor road maintenance not only inconveniences citizens but also directly contributes to accidents and loss of life.

 

The case titled C.P. Ajithkumar v. State of Kerala [WP(C) No. 32680 of 2008] has been pending before the High Court for over a decade, focusing on recurring concerns over road safety, civic negligence, and accountability of local bodies. In earlier proceedings, Justice Ramachandran had summoned engineers responsible for stretches of roads that remained unrepaired despite repeated directions, highlighting the seriousness of civic apathy.

 

Submissions Before the Court

• Kochi Municipal Corporation’s Stand: Advocate K. Janardhana Shenoy, appearing for the Corporation, submitted that work on all city roads had either been completed or was actively underway. He placed reliance on his memo dated August 27, 2025, which listed both completed projects and ongoing repairs. Shenoy also argued that in view of this progress, further summoning of municipal engineers by the Court was unnecessary.

• State Government’s Report: Government Pleader K.V. Manoj Kumar filed a memo along with an action-taken report, outlining steps taken by the State to improve road conditions, manage erratic traffic, and enhance public safety measures. The Court was informed that targeted drives had been initiated to curb traffic violations.

 

The High Court recorded the submission but stressed that such enforcement drives must be “perennial and not a temporary exercise.”

 

Justice Ramachandran reiterated that a comprehensive road safety and quality audit had already been ordered for the entire state. Since the Government had earlier sought additional time to submit a detailed compliance report, the Court refrained from making further remarks on this aspect.

 

With respect to Kochi city roads, the Court directed the amicus curiae—Advocates S. Krishna, S. Vinod Bhat, and P. Deepak—to carefully examine the memo submitted by the Kochi Municipal Corporation and present their independent findings.

 

A specific reference was made to the Thammanam–Pullepady stretch, one of the busiest and most critical roads in Kochi, which also finds mention in the Corporation’s memo. The Court made it clear that this road in particular should be inspected and verified by the amicus.

 

Before parting with the matter, Justice Ramachandran reminded the engineers and civic authorities that road maintenance must be executed “in full swing without delay”, ensuring both durability and safety for commuters.

 

The case has been posted for further consideration on September 11, 2025.