HC order fails to fix Marine Drive

Kochi: Even after high court asking the authorities to ensure that the Marine Drive Walkway is maintained properly, the fate of the most important promenade in the city remains pathetic.

Many issues, including lack of proper public toilet facilities and ill-maintained footpaths, plague the area.Though there is an open gym in the area, most of the equipment is dysfunctional. “I have been regularly sending photographs to the dedicated WhatsApp number of nodal officers appointed by Marine Drive monitoring committee headed by district collector as per the direction of HC division bench. Kochi RDO is the nodal officer but there is no visible action from his end even after repeated reminders,” said Ranjit Thampy, an activist.There are a lot of maintenance issues that need to be addressed at the walkway. “Bushes and weeds in the walkway pose a threat to people sitting on the benches, especially due to the presence of poisonous snakes in the area. The tiles laid in some areas are uneven and the visitors sometimes trip. Two structures in Kettuvellam bridge are a den for anti-social elements and drug users,” Thampy said.Paid toilets in the area are not maintained properly, and there are a lot of complaints related to the people who have taken the contract, Thampy alleged. “Cameras need to be made functional and should be linked with the police aid post. The toilet below Kettuvellam bridge is not functional hence there is no toilet facility for people visiting Abdul Kalam Marg. The kiosk provided for police aid post at Kettuvellam bridge is now a resting place for stray dogs,” Thampy added.