NIT-Calicut Inspects Kochi Metro Corridor After Road Bumps Reappear
Sections of the bitumen road have settled around rigid pile caps supporting Metro pillars. The uneven settlement has exposed hard concrete bases and produced bumps measuring about 3 to 4 inches in height. The hazards are difficult for riders to identify at night, while sudden changes in road level can affect vehicle control on the busy urban corridor.
The NIT-Calicut team, led by MVLR Anjaneyulu from the civil engineering department, collected soil samples during the inspection. A detailed study is to be conducted, with a report scheduled for submission to the Kochi corporation within 15 days. The assessment will examine the recurring sinkage and identify a permanent approach to repairing the road surface.
The problem involves the different behaviour of the road surface and the Metro structures beneath it. The pile caps are rigid concrete elements, while the surrounding road formation can settle if soil or supporting layers lose stability. The precise technical cause and recommended repair design have not yet been established. Earlier tarring by the Kochi corporation did not prevent the road around the pile caps from sinking again.
The Kerala High Court has directed the corporation to carry out rectification measures along the affected stretch within four months. The available report does not provide the date of the direction or explain how the deadline will be assessed, but the order places responsibility for the road condition on the civic authority. The corporation is expected to use the NIT-Calicut report to plan longer-term work rather than continue with surface-level repairs. Until the assessment is completed, the extent of intervention and final repair method remain undetermined.