Every day, pedestrians dice with death in city as open drains pose a safety threat 

The open drain near Kanakalaya Bank in Kozhikode.
| Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

A day after a 60-year-old man died after falling into an open drain at Kovoor in Kozhikode city, the Kozhikode Corporation came under fire for leaving the drains open despite repeated accidents involving them. Several similar deaths have occurred in the city over the last decade, including that of an elderly woman at Oyitty Road in 2013, a middle-aged man at Mankavu in 2016, two deaths in separate incidents in 2021, and the death of a young bike rider at Thadambattuthazham in 2023.

An open drain on Tali road in Kozhikode.
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

This is besides numerous accidents that have resulted in severe injuries to several people. However, Corporation officials claimed that there were no open drains in the heart of the city. However, parts of drains left open at Kottooli on Mavoor Road, near Kanakalaya Bank on Kannur Road, and near St. Joseph’s School on Silk Street, close to the Corporation office, among others, prove otherwise and they pose a serious threat to the public.

An open drain on the Pottammal-Palazhi road.
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

Civic body’s response

“The Kozhikode Corporation has been on a mission to construct proper drains and keep them closed over the last few years. We have a project for it, and the work is nearing completion.

“Most drains are closed, while work on some is ongoing. However, there are still some we need to address,” said P.C. Rajan, Public Works Standing Committee Chairman of the Corporation. However, the Corporation has expressed helplessness over the type of drain that claimed the life of Sasi on MLA Road in Kovoor on Sunday.

“Covering every drain is not possible. This one is so broad, that it could be called a mini canal. We will try to install guardrails along the drain to prevent people from falling,” Mr. Rajan added.

 A man unloading his truck close to an open drain at Kottooli amid heavy rain in Kozhikode on March 17.
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

The Kozhikode Corporation has a mechanism involving public participation to address the issue. Residents can take a geo-tagged photograph using the Corporation’s ‘Azhak Kozhikode’ mobile application and send it to the Corporation. The complainant will be notified once the issue is resolved.

A student walks along an open drain after leaving St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School on Silk Street after the SSLC examination
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh