Roads or No RoadsRoads or No Roads

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We are in the midst of the monsoon and We are in the midst of the monsoon and along with it comes a package deal - along with it comes a package deal - pathetic roadspathetic roads! !

It has become common and acceptable to It has become common and acceptable to Keralites that our roads turn into ditches Keralites that our roads turn into ditches and potholes filled with water with the and potholes filled with water with the onset of the monsoon, every year. Clearly, onset of the monsoon, every year. Clearly, this tells on the quality of the work and this tells on the quality of the work and materials used.materials used.

The government and its agencies spend The government and its agencies spend crores to tar the roads every year and crores to tar the roads every year and within a matter of a few months, they are within a matter of a few months, they are in ruins and unmotorable. in ruins and unmotorable.

The roads within Veegaland Park, The roads within Veegaland Park, stretching three to four Kms, were laid stretching three to four Kms, were laid eleven years ago. They have stood the eleven years ago. They have stood the ravages of the South western monsoon ravages of the South western monsoon and are still in fine condition. and are still in fine condition.

The roads at Willingdon Island, maintained The roads at Willingdon Island, maintained by the Port Trust, have also withstood by the Port Trust, have also withstood many monsoons. So where is the gap? many monsoons. So where is the gap? Where lies the problem? Where lies the problem?

The blame is very often placed on the The blame is very often placed on the monsoon. Then, what about the Southeast monsoon. Then, what about the Southeast Asian countries that are facing the same Asian countries that are facing the same monsoon, with the same intensity that we monsoon, with the same intensity that we are, like Singapore and Malaysia. are, like Singapore and Malaysia.

The roads in these countries are The roads in these countries are exemplary. I guess ‘Where there is a will, exemplary. I guess ‘Where there is a will, there is a way!’ there is a way!’

I read a recent survey that stated that of I read a recent survey that stated that of every Re 1/- of Government spending on every Re 1/- of Government spending on roads, only Ps 22/- is being actually spent roads, only Ps 22/- is being actually spent on the material and labour. on the material and labour.

Where does the rest of the money go? It Where does the rest of the money go? It seems that there is more to it than just the seems that there is more to it than just the immediate gains. immediate gains.

One wonders whether quality is knowingly One wonders whether quality is knowingly compromised on by contractors so that compromised on by contractors so that money would continue to roll in the form of money would continue to roll in the form of service contracts; to repair the very roads service contracts; to repair the very roads that they have laid and that get damaged, that they have laid and that get damaged, almost instantaneously. almost instantaneously.

Are the spoils shared with the concerned Are the spoils shared with the concerned officials and the politicians? No one seems officials and the politicians? No one seems to complain. Contracts continue to be to complain. Contracts continue to be awarded. The cycle goes on and on. awarded. The cycle goes on and on.

These days, the customer is King. Any These days, the customer is King. Any product, necessarily, has to be backed by product, necessarily, has to be backed by a warranty. Even after the customer buys a warranty. Even after the customer buys his product, the Manufacturer would have his product, the Manufacturer would have to ensure prompt and effective after sales to ensure prompt and effective after sales service. service.

Companies that shirk this inherent Companies that shirk this inherent responsibility are held accountable under responsibility are held accountable under Consumer Protection laws .Consumer Protection laws .

Similarly, who would guarantee that our Similarly, who would guarantee that our roads, laid with our money, for our benefit, roads, laid with our money, for our benefit, will last? will last?

Who is to be held accountable for the Who is to be held accountable for the countless lives lost on poor roads? countless lives lost on poor roads?

Unless liability is fastened on those Unless liability is fastened on those responsible, through stricter laws and their responsible, through stricter laws and their effective enforcement, the situation will not effective enforcement, the situation will not really improve. really improve.

We have grown so accustomed to We have grown so accustomed to corruption that we hardly seem to care. corruption that we hardly seem to care.

Surprisingly, our country that is so steeped Surprisingly, our country that is so steeped in religion, with churches, temples, in religion, with churches, temples, mosques and places of worship filled to mosques and places of worship filled to overflowing with devotees, also ranks overflowing with devotees, also ranks among one of the most corrupt nations of among one of the most corrupt nations of the world. the world.

The paradox is glaring and obvious. The paradox is glaring and obvious. Unless we face facts and weed out Unless we face facts and weed out corruption, better and safer roads may corruption, better and safer roads may only remain a dream! only remain a dream!

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