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Water problem draws the attention of candidates in Mattancherry

Special Correspondent

Ebrahim Kunju seeks CBI probe into Mattancherry bridge project

FACE-TO-FACE: LDF candidate M.C. Josephine and UDF candidate V.K. Ebrahim Kunju greeting each other at a meet-the-candidates event at Ernakulam Press Club on Thursday. Photo: Vipin Chandran

KOCHI: Industries and Social Welfare Minister V.K. Ebrahim Kunju has sought a CBI probe into the formulation of the Mattancherry (BOT) bridge and the circumstances in which the agreement was signed with Gammon India Ltd.

Asked about the Government decision to pay compensation to the builders of the Mattancherry BOT bridge, Mr. Kunju pointed out that when the bridge project was formulated, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government headed by E.K. Nayanar was in power in the State; CPI(M) leader Somasundara Panicker was the Kochi Mayor and CPI(M)'s K. Balachandran was the chairman of the Greater Cochin Development Authority.

At a meet-the-candidates event at the Ernakulam Press Club, where Mr. Kunju, who is the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate in Mattancherry met his rival, LDF's M.C. Josephine, he said: "I have no role in the bridge issue, I only have a role in trying to solve the issue."

The debate between the two candidates, however, revolved around the drinking water shortage in the constituency. Mr. Kunju highlighted the steps he has taken as an MLA and a Minister to tackle the issue. Ms. Josephine, who is the CPI(M) Central Committee member, went on the offensive recounting how people in Mattancherry, particularly women, told her of their water woes when she went on vote canvassing in the past three days. She was appalled by the anger the women voters had for the ruling class, she said. Mr. Kunju said the water shortage in his constituency could be solved in another year. Already, 70 per cent of the problem had been tackled. He spoke of the steps he, as the MLA, had taken steps to get all the rusted iron water pipes changed. When he was elected MLA in 2001, the DFID water project had almost been abandoned. The estimated initial expense (Rs.17 crores) had more than doubled because of the inaction of the then Government and the DFID was not willing to pay more than the original estimated cost. Mr. Kunju said he got the Government to pay the differential and thus got the project going. The work on the first `zone' was over and that on the second zone was now under way.

However, Ms Josephine alleged that there had been hectic activity on the project in the past few months in view of the elections. Of course, the first zone was inaugurated in haste, but there was not much water in the pipelines. Zoning was in a mess as there was no clear idea about different zones. She said as a woman and as a political activist she was especially concerned about water shortage. To her, water was basically a women's issue and she empathised with the Mattancherry women when they recounted their woes.

In Mr. Kunju's opinion, Mattancherry-Fort Kochi was the real Kochi. But now, this real Kochi had become the dumping yard of the city's waste. The area was far behind in terms of development. The percentage of urban poor was the highest in Mattancherry and level of unemployment, particularly among women, was very high too. He recounted the steps taken by him as an MLA and Minister to tackle some of these issues.

He claimed that he had stood 95 per cent up to the expectations of his voters.

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