Date:09/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/09/stories/2008090960030300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Action against officials sought

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Criminal cases should be registered against the officials of the Public Works Department and Kerala Water Authority whose negligence led to the death of a person on Sunday night on the Vytilla-Thammanam-Palarivattom road, said K. Babu, MLA.

Addressing a press meet here on Monday, Mr. Babu said the ministers concerned should initiate action against the officials in two government departments and provide compensation to the family of Pradeep Kumar, who fell down from his two-wheeler after it hit a pothole on the road.

He was declared brought dead at the hospital.

The leaking pipes of the Water Authority result in poor road conditions and the PWD does not care to repair them, said Mr. Babu.

A decision by PWD Minister Mons Joseph to conduct a joint inspection of the area by the executive engineers of both the PWD and the Water Authority, is yet to take place, said Mr. Babu.

It is unfortunate that the officials’ negligence has led to the death of a person, Mr. Babu said.

The people living in the area had blocked the road and held a sit-in in front of the offices of the PWD and the Water Authority, demanding compensation for the family of the dead person and immediate action to repair the road.

Mr. Babu also demanded that all pipes be changed to avoid constant complaints of leakage. Kochi Corporation councillors T. J. Vinod and Mini Joseph from the area along with other representatives participated in the press meet.

Youth dies in accident

In another case of accident on Monday, T. M. Anoop, 19, died here after a bus rammed into his bike near Kathrikadavu. Son of Mohammed, Anoop was a resident of Pereparambil veedu near Koonamavu.