The Chief Engineer of the Public Works department (PWD) (Bridges) has been asked to remove all unauthorised and hazardous utility installations, including protruding pipes, clamps, brackets, and cables, obstructing pedestrian pathways from its bridges and culverts within three months.

A Division Bench of the Lokayukta, consisting of Justice N. Anilkumar and Upa Lokayukta Justice Ashok Menon, issued the directive to the department in response to a petition filed by Ravi Ulleyeri of Kozhikode.

The complainant had pointed out that metal pipes laid for water supply and other public utilities and telecommunication cables drawn along the sides of the bridges had reduced the effective width of the bridges available for public use. The protruding pipes, clamps, brackets and supporting structures posed serious hazards to road users.

An inquiry carried out by the Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement), Kozhikode, on a few bridges in Kozhikode district confirmed the grievance raised by the complainant, the panel noted.

The inquiry was ordered by the Road Safety Commissioner on instructions from the Lokayukta. The Commissioner had also informed the Lokayukta that interim measures for removing the impediments were initiated under the Road Safety Act.

The Lokayukta ordered the PWD official to hold joint inspections with various service providers on all the bridges and culverts under its jurisdiction and remove, relocate or suitably re-route the cables and utility installations from the bridges and culverts in three months. The utility pipes shall be buried beneath the pedestrian footpath or within the bridge deck wherever technically feasible. The public utility providers shall be sensitised to obtain appropriate clearance from the competent road-owning authority before undertaking any future installation of pipelines, cables or fixtures on or within any public bridge or culvert, to prevent recurrence of similar hazards, the panel directed.

It also suggested that the structural defects and safety deficiencies identified in the bridges, including damaged or unrepaired railings, corroded clamps and brackets, and exposed or defective electrical and streetlight installations, shall be rectified. The prescribed width of pedestrian pathways should be restored on all affected bridges, the panel directed.

An Action Taken Report, together with photographic evidence of the remedial measures undertaken, shall be filed. The Road Safety Commissioner shall independently verify the rectification works, it directed. The panel posted the case for November 25.