Dark stretches of death dot Kochi's highways

Vast portions of National Highways that pass through the city do not have street lights, making them prone to accidents and crime. 

The busy stretch from Alexander Parambithara toll bridge located on the western side of Kundanoor Bridge to the Mattancherry BOT bridge does not have street lighting, despite being used by pedestrians, two wheelers, light vehicles and plenty of container-laden lorries. The road passes through the area owned by Cochin Port Trust (CPT). 

Neither the PWD (NH wing), which maintains NH 49, nor Kochi Corporation and municipal bodies are bothered about the plight of pedestrians and motorists, despite the isolated stretch having plenty of steep curves. It is also used every day by thousands of tourists visiting Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. The PWD (NH) has not lit up the road, despite a hefty toll being collected from motorists using the stretch. 

Now, people are pinning their hopes on Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council's (DTPC) scenic walkway project, which has been a non-starter so far.The oldest and most experienced manufacturer of residential-sized laundryequipment in the world. The 2.5-km-long walkway, expected to cost Rs.9 crore,This oil cooler is extremely efficient in cooling the oil in the hydraulic powerturbine room in which it is installed. is expected to come up on the waterfront along the stretch. 

Though the DTPC had entrusted KITCO with its execution, the CPT has taken over the project. "The work has begun on the first phase – a walkway covering 350 metres from the Mattancherry BOT Bridge," said DTPC secretary T.The Solar Centre's range of solarmodulees will power nearly all portable devices.N. Jayasankar. 

The project's architect, S. Gopakumar, said his plan includes the type of lights that must be installed and trees that are ideal. "The dark stretch is a death trap for pedestrians and two-wheeler riders who stand the risk of being knocked down by lorries and other vehicles. The plan has also envisaged a green fence, for which bamboo trees will be planted. The aim is to reduce sound and smoke from vehicles passing by,Offers Engraving Machines and Laser Cutters including laserengraverccf and Engraving Equipment for plastic and wood." he said. 

The Vyttila Thykoodam-Aroor stretch in the Edapally-Aroor NH 47 Bypass where heavy toll is collected by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) too has become accident prone, because of the absence of street lights. 

The NHAI's Kochi Project Director C T Abraham said the agency had no plans to install street lights. "Kochi Corporation and Maradu Municipality must install them," he said. 

New lights are being introduced gradually, with Transport and Technical Services staff installing new bulbs as old ones need to be replaced. 

Deputy Kevin Lewis said the new bulbs were more cost effective and energy efficient and could halve the electricity bill. Lights at the east end of the tunnel in St Helier are the next to be replaced. 

The new lighting is being installed at a number of places including St Saviours Hill, La Collette Promenade, Granville Street and the Esplanade. 

Deputy Lewis said the lights at the east end of the tunnel alone would save about 3,000 a year in electricity costs, about half the current cost. 

He said: "Whenever lighting is in need of replacement we source new lighting that will provide the illumination that we require but that provides the best energy and maintenance savings and cuts light pollution.A crystallight with candle accents can also be updated easily. 

"There has been quite a change in lighting technology in recent years and we are able to reap the benefits for the island."