Kolathur: A road that connects two blocks, two Assembly constituencies and several key public infrastructure projects has been left to crumble amid a tussle between the district panchayat and the PWD over its upkeep. The Vengad-Puramannur-Kodumudi road has not seen a major renovation in decades, leaving commuters to negotiate its battered stretches and potholes.

The district panchayat, which owns the road, wrote to the PWD in July last year seeking its takeover, a demand that has been pending for years. Based on a petition from Moorkanad panchayat president K P Hamsa, MLA Manjalamkuzhi Ali has now written to the new PWD Minister PK Basheer seeking action on the matter. However, the long-standing demand has so far failed to move the authorities.

The nearly 7-km road runs along the boundary of Moorkanad and Irimbiliyam panchayats and connects the Mankada and Kuttippuram blocks as well as the Mankada and Kottakkal Assembly constituencies. It is also the main access route to the Muthikayam Regulator-cum-Bridge, the Muthikayam Lift Irrigation Project and the water tank built by the Mankada Block Panchayat for the Moorkanad drinking water project. These facilities serve a large population, including residents of Malappuram municipality and six panchayats.

‘Flora Fantasia’, a popular tourist centre, is also located along the route. For residents, occasional pothole filling by private establishments is the only relief from the worsening condition of the road. They have warned of protests if the authorities continue to ignore their demand for urgent renovation.