The Times of India              03.08.2013

Interlocked tiles to the rescue of Kochi corporation, PWD

KOCHI: Rising public protests against potholed roads have forced the public works department (PWD) and the Kochi corporation to go in for the costlier interlocking tiles to repair busy junctions and internal city roads. While these tiles may slow down traffic, it is said to be the perfect solution for roads that are regularly damaged due to heavy rains and waterlogging.

The PWD has already started the process of laying interlocking blocks at High Court Junction. They have also put forward a proposal for the same at Menaka on Shanmugham Road. According to executive engineer P P Benny, the department and will soon start work at Palarivattom Junction also. It will be an extension of the tiles laid in the area earlier. The entire Palarivattom circle will be paved with tiles.

The Gandhinagar division of the Kochi corporation is also using interlocking tiles to pave Friends Lane and Purushu Menon Road. "The work on Friends Lane is almost complete and the local body has partially completed Purushu Menon Road. The plan is to relay all internal roads in Gandhinagar division using interlocking tiles," said councillor K J Jacob. The corporation will relay the road near Kamattipadom using Rs 13.80 lakh from the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

According to PWD, tiled roads have longer life and durability and bring down the recurring cost incurred through repairing and relaying roads. "The interlocking blocks were earlier used near the petrol bunk at Palarivattom and also along Kaniyampuzha Road. These stretches are still motorable after this year's heavy monsoon and heavy movement of traffic. Hence, the department has decided to use tiles at other busy junctions in the city," said Benny.

According to PWD, since the tiles are interlocked, potholes will not develop on roads paved using them. The gaps between these blocks also allow seepage of rain water. "We need to have drains on the side of roads to ensure drainage of rain water," added Benny. Since precast tiles are used for paving roads, roads will not have to be closed for curing. The department said that they were using the best quality tiles that have 100mm thickness.

Meanwhile, agencies such as the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) are not in favour of using interlocking blocks. According to NHAI, highways are meant for fast movement of vehicles, but the tiles will slow down vehicles.