C.P.AJITHKUMAR Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition is one of the longest pending writ petitions of this Court - not surprising, because this case calls into focus a rather vexatious problem faced by our citizens day in and day out; but which has eluded any resolution even as on date.

(2.) The petitioners complain about the pathetic road conditions in Kerala and in particular, the "Queen of the Arabian Sea" - the City of Kochi.

(3.) The petitioners rue that in the last more than ten years this writ petition has been pending before this Court, the situation of the roads has not merely bettered, but has, in fact, drastically deteriorated. They, therefore, pray that stringent and effective directions be now issued to all stakeholders and especially to the Institutions in which the various roads are vested; with a corollary plea that the Government be directed to insist on a minimum five year performance guarantee from the Contractor/ Agency which is entrusted with the work of laying new roads and repairing it.