The state anti-corruption ombudsman has issued a sweeping directive to strip metal pipes and telecommunication cables that have been affixed to public bridges without permission. The order, announced on Tuesday, demands that all such installations be dismantled or relocated within 30 days, citing safety concerns and the encroachment of public space.
What Happened
In a formal notice released by the Kerala Lokayukta, the ombudsman cited a complaint lodged by a local resident who observed that the width of several road overbridges had been reduced by the presence of steel conduits and cable bundles. The notice lists 12 bridges across the state’s coastal districts where the installations were found, including the Vellayil–Kochi flyover and the Thiruvananthapuram–Kottayam high‑speed road. The directive requires the Kerala Public Works Department, the Kerala State Electricity Board, and the state telecom regulator to submit a compliance report within 30 days, detailing the removal plan and the timeline for completion.
The notice also stated that the unauthorized installations pose a “hazardous risk” to commuters, as the metal pipes can corrode and the cables may be exposed to weather conditions that could lead to short circuits or structural weakening. The conservatives of the Lokayukta noted that the installations had been placed without the requisite environmental and safety clearances, violating the Kerala Public Works Act and the State Electricity Act.
Why It Matters
Bridges are critical arteries of Kerala’s transport network, carrying thousands of vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists daily. Any reduction in usable width can lead to congestion, increased travel time, and heightened accident risk. The removal order underscores the importance of maintaining public infrastructure free from unauthorized modifications that could compromise safety.
Moreover, the directive sends a clear message to utility companies and telecom operators that the state will not tolerate ad‑hoc installations that bypass regulatory oversight. In the past decade, Kerala has seen a surge in the deployment of fiber‑optic cables along roadways, often carried in makeshift conduits that are not subject to rigorous safety checks. The Lokayukta’s decision could prompt a statewide audit of such practices, potentially affecting the operations of major telecom firms and power distribution companies.
The order also touches on the broader issue of public space encroachment. In many urban centers, private entities have historically encroached on public roads and bridges to install infrastructure, arguing that it is a public good. The Lokayukta’s stance reinforces the principle that public infrastructure must remain accessible and safe for all citizens, and that any utility installation must be subject to transparent, regulated processes.
Background and Context
The Kerala Lokayukta was established in 2011 to investigate corruption and maladministration in state government departments and public institutions. Over the past decade, the office has tackled a range of cases, from irregularities in public procurement to misuse of public funds.
Bridges in Kerala are built and maintained by the Kerala Public Works Department (PWD), while electrical and telecommunication infrastructure is overseen by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Department of Telecommunications, respectively. All installations on public bridges are required to obtain clearance from the PWD, which conducts structural assessments to ensure that added loads do not compromise the bridge’s integrity.
In 2019, a similar complaint led the Lokayukta to order the removal of a cluster of power cables from the Kottayam–Thiruvananthapuram bypass, citing that the cables had been installed without proper permits. That case set a precedent for the current order, and the Lokayukta’s latest directive is the most extensive yet, covering a larger number of bridges and involving multiple utility sectors.
The issue also intersects with Kerala’s ambitious digital infrastructure plan, which aims to deploy high‑speed fiber across the state by 2025. While the expansion of telecom infrastructure is essential for economic growth, it must be balanced against public safety and regulatory compliance.
What to Watch Next
The next few weeks will be critical in determining how the removal order is implemented. The PWD will likely issue detailed work plans for each bridge, and utility companies will need to mobilize resources to dismantle or relocate the installations.
There is a possibility of legal challenges from the telecom and power sectors, arguing that the removal could disrupt services or that the installations were indeed compliant with safety standards. Courts may be called upon to interpret the scope of the Lokayukta’s authority in this context.
Traffic authorities will need to coordinate with the PWD to manage temporary closures or detours during the removal process, ensuring that commuters are not unduly inconvenienced. The state government may also issue guidelines to streamline the clearance process for future installations, preventing similar unauthorized placements.
Finally, the Lokayukta may issue a follow‑up report after the removal is completed, assessing whether the bridges have returned to their original width and whether any residual hazards remain. This report could serve as a benchmark for future enforcement actions.
Conclusion
The Kerala Lokayukta’s directive to remove unauthorized metal pipes and telecom cables from public bridges is a decisive step toward safeguarding public infrastructure and ensuring that utility installations are carried out under strict regulatory oversight. By addressing both safety concerns and the encroachment of public space, the order reinforces the principle that public assets must remain accessible and secure for all citizens.
The enforcement of this directive will test the state’s capacity to manage infrastructure projects responsibly, and its outcome could shape the future of how telecom and power companies interact with public roads and bridges. As Kerala continues to pursue digital and energy expansion, this case underscores the need for transparent, accountable processes that balance progress with public safety.
Sources
[The Hindu, “Kerala Lokayukta orders removal of unauthorised, hazardous utility installations from bridges”](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-lokayukta-orders-removal-of-unauthorised-hazardous-utility-installations/article71356622.ece)
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
