Kerala High Court Directs Urgent Action On Dangerous Road Conditions Near Kochi Metro Pillars
Anamika MJ
8 April 2026 12:10 PM IST
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (07 April) directed immediate corrective action to address hazardous road conditions along metro rail corridors in Kochi, following a Public Interest Litigation highlighting safety risks and fatal accidents.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. considered averments highlighting multiple instances of road surface sinking near metro pillar pile caps, allegedly leading to accidents and loss of life.
The Court instructed the authorities to promptly identify and rectify uneven road surfaces and protrusions around metro pillars across the city. The Bench further mandated the installation of enhanced safety measures, including high-visibility warning signage, reflective markers, rumble strips, and impact-absorbing protective systems at vulnerable locations.
The Court has also directed the Kochi Corporation to appoint a technical committee or expert agency to conduct a comprehensive safety audit of roads along metro corridors. The findings are to be submitted before the Court on the next hearing date.
The Secretary of the Kochi Corporation has also been instructed to convene an urgent coordination meeting with relevant authorities to ensure timely road restoration and implementation of safety measures. A compliance report in the form of an affidavit must be filed prior to the adjourned date.
The matter is posted on 11 June for further consideration.
Case Title: Pauly Vadakkan v State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: WP(PIL) 81/ 2026
Counsel for Petitioner: Jomy K. Jose, Salman Faris, Riya A.