CUSAT Students’ Study Offers Recommendations for Better Road Maintenance and Traffic Management in Kochi

A scientific study by Civil Engineering students of the School of Engineering of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has proposed measures to improve road maintenance and related infrastructure in Kochi. The study recommends making the existing road maintenance system more efficient and shifting from a reactive approach to a preventive maintenance system.

The study was conducted by a seven-member team of fourth-year Civil Engineering students—Muhammad Sadhir K. A., Rahul Dev, Rijvith Subramanian, Saugandh T. P., Sreekandan K. J., Meenakshi Rajeev and Dhanish A.under the guidance of Dr. Surya Ann Koshy.

Vyttila, Medical Trust and High Court–Marine Drive were selected as the three major junctions for the study. The team assessed road surface maintenance practices, indicators used to evaluate road conditions and methods for prioritising maintenance, along with collecting public feedback.

Study Group with the Report

Digital Road Information System and 24-Hour Pothole Repair

The study recommends dividing the state road network into clearly defined maintenance zones and assigning a responsible officer, engineering team and contractor to each zone.

It also proposes a centralised digital road information system covering roads, footpaths, medians, traffic signals, road markings, bus shelters and drains. The system should facilitate the collection of road-condition data at every 20 metres.

Once a defect is identified, maintenance tasks should be automatically generated through the digital system, recording details such as the location and type of defect, repair method, deadline and responsible team or contractor.

The study recommends that dangerous potholes be repaired within 24 hours. Traffic signal failures should be targeted for resolution within one hour during working hours and within two hours at other times. A system should also be introduced to automatically escalate delayed maintenance requests to higher authorities.

Performance-Based Payments for Contractors

The study recommends strengthening performance-based contracting, linking contractor payments to road quality, speed of repairs and compliance with prescribed standards. It also suggests penalties, including possible contract termination, for poor performance.

Instead of carrying out repairs only after roads deteriorate, preventive measures such as crack sealing, pothole repairs, surface renewal and regular maintenance of traffic signals should be undertaken at scheduled intervals.

The study also recommends improving public access to road maintenance information and strengthening mechanisms for reporting defects. A public warning system should provide information through SMS and digital notifications about the location and duration of road construction or maintenance works, traffic diversions and safety precautions.

Urgent Attention to Drains and Parking at Vyttila

At Vyttila, one of Kerala’s busiest junctions, roads are managed by different agencies, including Kochi Corporation, the National Highways Authority of India and the Public Works Department. A public survey found that drains, public amenities, parking, traffic signals, road surfaces and footpaths require urgent improvement. The survey at Vyttila was attended by 72 respondents.

The study points out that water flowing onto the roads, combined with continuous traffic, weakens road surfaces and leads to the formation of potholes. Delayed maintenance can affect travel comfort and cause damage to vehicles.

Footpath and Drainage Issues at Medical Trust

At Medical Trust Junction, broken slabs and obstructed footpaths were found to pose risks to pedestrians. The study also noted that inadequate drainage leads to waterlogging, reducing the lifespan of roads and accelerating surface deterioration.

High Court–Marine Drive as a Good Model

The study observed that the roads in the High Court Junction area, being under a single agency—the Public Works Department—allow for more efficient maintenance management. The road at Kochi Marine Drive was also identified as one of the better-maintained roads in the city. Well-connected paved footpaths, pedestrian-friendly facilities and a dedicated cycle track were highlighted as features that make Marine Drive a good model.

Existing System Predominantly Reactive

The comparative analysis in the study indicates that although the National Highways Authority of India and the Kerala Public Works Department follow maintenance systems based on priorities, the PWD system in Kerala continues to place greater emphasis on repairs after defects occur.

The study notes that the performance- and efficiency-based road contract system being implemented on a trial basis in Kerala since 2022 is part of the transition from reactive to preventive maintenance.

The study concludes that an integrated system combining preventive maintenance, emergency response, condition- and performance-based maintenance and digital monitoring can improve road safety, reliability and accountability in Kerala.