The construction of the approach road to the Pavangad–Puthiyappa railway overbridge (Pavangad ROB) is set to resume after the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) approved a revised design to overcome the hurdle posed by underground power cables.

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had served a notice to the Public Works Department (PWD) directing it to stop piling work after 110-kV and 11-kV underground power cables were found passing through the site where the approach road was being constructed. The cables were detected during trial piling work.

KSEB had initially proposed shifting about 350 metres of the cables from the construction site to the service road. The relocation was estimated to cost around ₹5.5 crore, creating a substantial additional financial burden and making it difficult to complete the approach road using the funds already sanctioned.

RBDCK subsequently explored an alternative to avoid shifting the 110-kV cable. Under the revised design, the number of piles will be increased at locations where the high-voltage cable passes beneath the proposed approach road. At four locations, the number of piles will be increased from three to four, allowing construction to proceed without damaging the underground cable.

The revised design will also reduce the length of cable that needs to be shifted, thereby bringing down the additional cost. RBDCK has approved the structural modification, allowing the approach road to be constructed within the existing allocation.

The 11-kV cable, however, will have to be relocated. KSEB has submitted an estimate of ₹38 lakh to RBDCK for shifting the cable. The construction work is expected to begin after the PWD gives the required approval.

The Pavangad ROB was constructed 11 years ago at a cost of around ₹5.7 crore. However, it has remained unusable in the absence of an approach road. The State government sanctioned ₹12.82 crore for the construction of the approach road more than a year ago.

Electric Vehicle (EV) owners in Keralam are keeping their fingers crossed over how frequent power outages will affect the charging of their vehicles.

While some owners claim it has already begun to take a toll on charging, others feel the impact, if any, is yet to be felt. Still, they remain concerned that the situation could worsen in the coming days if the power situation doesn’t improve.

Harindran N., a resident of Vennala, says frequent power cuts disrupt charging schedules. “On most occasions, the charging process is cut short when a power outage occurs, leaving the vehicle without sufficient charge in the morning. The outages do not follow a schedule, and not knowing the timing is a major concern. We avoid charging during peak hours, but often remain unaware of cuts as we are asleep with the vehicle already plugged in. Once power resumes, the charger has to be manually reconnected, failing which the vehicle is left with low charge in the morning. Knowing the timing of outages in advance would be helpful,” says Dr. Harindran.

Rahul Kumar, an architect from Thiruvananthapuram, echoed the sentiment. “I have not been affected yet as I was travelling during the past two weeks. But once I start using my vehicle, this could become a concern. Whenever there is a disruption, charging is affected, and frequent outages could exacerbate this,” he says.

Back in 2024, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had urged EV owners to avoid evening charging and shift to off-peak hours.

Parvathy Nair, a businesswoman from Thripunithura, says charging in the morning is not feasible for those whose businesses depend on EVs. “We use our vehicle in the morning for deliveries. We never get a break to charge it then, so nighttime is our only option,” she says.

KSEB sources say they have not yet noticed any perceptible change in charging patterns among EV users despite the worsening crisis. “People continue to charge their vehicles at their home when it is convenient for them. There is a lack of awareness among the public. They should actively consider charging in the morning to reduce the load,” says an official.

The proposed project to set up about 200 new charging stations across the State in the next financial year could prove useful to vehicle owners. These stations will have a lower tariff during solar hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), which could help shift the consumer behaviour, the source added.

Risk for battery health

Finny Kurian, a music director from Kaloor, says he charges his vehicle in the morning. “It is only on rare occasions that I have had to charge at night. So these disruptions haven’t affected me,” he says.

He adds that frequent interruptions during charging could harm battery health. Each disruption could result in a cycle being completed, thereby affecting battery life, says Mr. Kurian.