No Point Feeling Sorry After Lives Are Lost: Kerala High Court Pulls Up Kochi Corporation For Lack Of Streetlights In The City

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday pulled up the Kochi Corporation for not taking action on installing fictional street lights in the city despite repeated oral directions and warned to summon the Corporation Secretary if the situation persisted.

Denouncing the inaction of the Corporation,  Justice Devan Ramachandran remarked that it was shameful to have to say that there were no streetlights in the largest city in the State. 

"Its a shame. Despite being the largest city in the State, we don't have proper streetlights. I have personally come across long stretches of roads with no streetlights in the city. If this situation continues, I will summon the Corporation Secretary before this Court. Accidents and crimes are on the rise in many areas due to lack of streetlamps. There is no point feeling sorry after lives are lost."

The Single Judge added:

''Don't take court orders casually. Half of the street lights in the city are not working or are switched off even after dark. Citizens have a right to expect properly lit streets. How can you take things so lightly.' 

The matter of power cables lying low was also addressed by the Bench:

"So many cables are hanging dangerously low, yet no action has been taken so far. What if someone is electrocuted?''

The Court was hearing a matter pertaining to the deplorable condition of roads and streets in the city. The petition was filed following an accident that occurred in Kochi in 2019 due to potholes on the road. 

Accordingly, amici curiae were appointed to look into the matter, and they affirmed that many of the roads within the limits of the Cochin Corporation have now again turned riddled with potholes. 

Responding to this, Standing Counsel for the Cochin Corporation Janardhana Shenoy explained that works will be completed in the immediate future and submitted that as soon as the rains abate, most or all of the roads in Kochi will be brought back to shape. 

At this juncture, the Counsel for the petitioner Advocate Tom K Thomas submitted that the Corporation had submitted a similarly detailed report regarding repairing of certain roads in 2020 and that many of the roads mentioned therein have again become in a state of disrepair.

The Court noted that this was certainly a matter that the Corporation must look into and revert to since it is unconscionable that the roads which have been repaired expending large amounts of money should present greater peril for the motorists and pedestrians in less than a year.

The Judge also looked into the concern of footpaths being encroached into by vehicles parked illegally and had directed the Traffic Enforcement Officers of the City to educate the public through wide publicity that such action is illegal and that it will attract severe penalties. 

It was also suggested that barriers may be erected on the borders of footpaths in a manner as to make sure that vehicles cannot trespass. 

Meanwhile, while hearing another case, the Court commended the Corporation for its efforts in preventing flooding in the city despite heavy rains, unlike the previous few years. 

Case Title: Pauly Vadakkan v. Corporation of Cochin