The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Thampanoor residents to launch agitation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 27, 2006

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Thampanoor residents to launch agitation

Staff Reporter

Dilapidated roads cause hardship to traders as well

OFFICIAL APATHY: The heavily rutted Thyvila Road, near Ayurveda College Junction. Many roads in the city were dug up for the Theerapadham Water Supply Scheme in 2004. Procedural problems have delayed the repair of these roads causing immense hardship to residents, traders and motorists alike. - Photo: S. Mahinsha

Thiruvananthapuram: Residents and traders in the Thampanoor ward are planning an agitation against the City Corporation to highlight the miserable condition of the roads that were dug up for laying water pipes and other utility lines.

The local people allege that the Corporation had failed to utilise the repair funds sanctioned by the Government. Tired of running from pillar to post, the residents along three roads have decided to approach the Government, political parties and the elected representatives in the city to press their demand. An action council has been constituted for the purpose.

The heavily-potholed roads have led to a series of accidents, mostly involving two-wheelers. The entire stretch of Thyvila Road from Ayurveda College Junction to Manjalikulam is pockmarked with deep ruts, making it difficult for vehicles to negotiate the stretch. The road was dug up for the Theerapadham Water Supply Scheme in 2004.

To make matters worse, the gravel that was unloaded for the repair work months ago is strewn all over the road and the side drains. Residents complain that the dust thrown up by passing vehicles has exposed them to respiratory problems. Taxi and autorickshaw drivers refuse to operate on the road for fear of damage to their vehicles. The parallel Dharmalayam and Kalpalayam Roads are also in need of urgent repair.

Ward councillor L. Mini admits that procedural delays in the Engineering section had held up the repair work for over a year. Works Standing Committee chairman K. Rajasekharan Nair claims that the bottlenecks had been cleared but the contractor maintains that the revised proposal was yet to be cleared by the Works Committee and the Council. A memorandum prepared by the action council says the residents would be put to a great deal of hardship if the roads were not repaired before the Attukal Pongala festival on March 13.

As the first phase of the agitation, the residents and traders have started a signature campaign. This will be followed up by a protest meeting at the Ayurveda College Junction on March 6. The action council is also planning to block the road to register their protest.

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