Here, interlocking tiles turn a bane for residents

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Residents of Malayinkeezhu were initially in good spirits when the PWD decided to lay interlocking tiles on some stretches which had fallen into disrepair after heavy rains. The joy was, however, short-lived as the PWD work has left the Thiruvananthapuram-Neyyar dam road uneven.
The public works department had identified 17,000 sq ft from Peyad to Mandapathinkadavu for laying interlocking tiles under a Rs 20-lakh project.This was suggested as a solution to waterlogging on the road.
Two weeks ago, PWD began laying tiles at three spots spread over 35 sq m. The tiles laid at Iratta Kalunkku were at a height of 7cm from the road, and a temporary slope was provided at its two ends for smooth passage of vehicles. However, the slope was destroyed in heavy rains, resulting in an uneven surface
. "I now rely on buses as it is difficult to get onto the portion laid by interlocking tiles on a two-wheeler, especially during heavy traffic. Even on a bus, journeying through this part of the road is no different due to the jerk," said Ligi S, a resident of Malayinkeezhu.
"Frequent travel through the tiled road has cost me much in terms of repair works," said S Sudarshanan, an autorickshaw driver.
PWD officials said the patchwork to level the tarred portion with the interlocking tiles will begin in a week and will be completed by the end of October. "It was planned to begin the patchwork after laying the tiles. This got delayed due to the strike by quarry workers. The height of the tiles has been raised for an upcoming road maintenance project, which will begin in about two months. The contract for tarring work will be signed in two weeks," said PWD assistant executive engineer Rajmohan Thampi.
The 17-km stretch from Peyad to Mandapathinkadavu will be upgraded, in a Rs 18.5 crore project by December.