Firm seeks three months to repair escalator at moffusil bus in Kozhikode

Four months after the escalator on the foot overbridge near the mofussil bus stand in the city stopped functioning, the Kozhikode Corporation has directed the company in charge of maintenance to resolve the issue at the earliest. However, it may take at least two months for the repair works to be completed.

The escalator is part of the first-ever mechanised foot overbridge in the State, which connects the bus stand with the V.K. Krishnamenon Indoor Stadium across Rajaji Road. It was opened in 2020 amid much hype and proved to be a blessing for commuters who were unable to cross the road after dividers were installed. It was hailed as a bold initiative to improve the city’s walkability and soon became the face of a developing Kozhikode.

However, the escalator stopped functioning four months ago, much to the chagrin of commuters who had become quite accustomed to it over the past five years. The shutdown proved even harder for differently abled people, especially since the lift was always crowded.

On Tuesday, Mayor Beena Philip announced that the escalator would be repaired soon. “We have asked the company in charge of maintenance to replace the faulty spare parts. They had demanded three months, but we pressed them to speed up the process, considering the urgent nature of the work,” the Mayor said in a press release.

The Mayor pointed out that a belt connecting three wheels of the escalator had worn out. Besides, some faulty parts that need to be replaced had to be custom-made, she added.