Protruding manhole lids pose threat to motorists

Of late, in the city in Coimbatore Corporation limits, there seems to be a new kind of speed breaker – one that does not cover the full width of the road but nevertheless gives a jolt to two-wheeler riders and four wheeler drivers. It actually gives the two-wheeler riders a shock and a real flying experience to the four-wheelers.

A second, closer look reveals that it is not speed breaker but manhole lids that protrude out of the road surface.

The manhole lids are more visible on roads that the Coimbatore Corporation has laid for underground drainage pipeline but is yet to reconstruct the roads.

Sources say that the delay is what makes the manhole lids dangerous because the difference in level between the lids and road surface is quite big to throw off-balance two-wheeler riders or jolt to four-wheeler drivers.

For, when manhole lids are constructed, the contractors place the lid level in such a way that it would merge with the road surface as and when the road is reconstructed. But given the time gap between manhole construction and road reconstruction, it often troubles road users, say sources.

The surface level for a road that requires only minimal reconstruction rises by only 30 mm or so. If the road requires total reconstruction then the level increases by 200 mm.

The sources say that this time though the UGD work was completed long ago but only now the Coimbatore Corporation was undertaking the road reconstruction work.

The civic body with State Government funds was taking up road work for about Rs. 100 crore.

On roads where the Corporation has completed the work, the manhole and road surface are on the same level, the sources say and add that if any complaint was brought to the Corporation’s notice, it will remedy the place at the earliest.

Coimbatore Mayor Reviews Rs 11.87 Crore Development Works in Coimbatore West Zone

Coimbatore Mayor Ranganayaki inspected development works worth Rs 11.87 crore across the Coimbatore Corporation's West Z...

Mettupalayam–Podanur MEMU Train to Terminate at Coimbatore North for Two Days

Train services between Coimbatore North and Podanur will be affected on September 25 and 26 due to track maintenance wor...

Festive Season: Weekly Special Trains to Operate Between Charlapalli - Sengottai via Coimbatore, Pollachi

To meet the increased passenger demand during the upcoming festive season, the Salem Division of Southern Railway has an...

Female Elephant Found Dead Near Thadagam; Post-Mortem Reveals Intestinal Blockage

An 8 to 10-year-old female elephant was found dead near Melmudi forest area under Thadagam North Range in Coimbatore. A...

DMK Councillor’s Husband Attacked with Sickle Near Pollachi; Right Hand Severed, Suspect Arrested

A man was arrested for allegedly attacking the husband of a DMK councillor with a sickle and severing his right hand fol...

Elephant Calf Found Dead Near Coimbatore’s Madukkarai; Carnivore Attack Suspected

An elephant calf found injured near the Madukkarai Forest Range in Coimbatore died on September 23 after being monitored...