Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Project to redevelop Karimadom colony

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The City Corporation has cleared the decks for the launch of an integrated project to redevelop the Karimadom slum colony and provide the residents with better basic amenities, sanitation facilities and community services.

Designed by the Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (Costford), it seeks to ensure the livelihood security of the residents through a participatory approach. Costford will also execute the Rs.16.2-crore project to be funded by the Centre under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Mayor C. Jayan Babu said the project would take off on September 25 with a formal inauguration by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan. He said the redevelopment of the Karimadom colony would signal the launch of a major urban renewal programme. “An all- party committee has been formed in the colony to ensure ground support for the project,” he added.

Characterised by dingy shacks clustered among stinking drains and overflowing sewers, the Karimadom colony is spread over 9.73 acres in a low-lying area, making it flood-prone. There are 632 families, out of which 72 were provided with habitable houses 10 years ago. The remaining 560 families live in shacks and dilapidated houses.

Basic services are limited and the threat of epidemics looms large, especially during the rainy season when the entire area remains waterlogged for days. Toilet waste is diverted to the open sewage collection pond.

A survey conducted by Costford revealed that 89 per cent of the population do not have a permanent source of income. The student community lacked facilities for academic excellence.

According to Costford executive director P.B. Sajan, the renewal project seeks to redevelop the entire colony by providing housing for 560 families and creating liveable spaces and a peaceful environment where people can reside with a sense of security.

The project was conceived by Costford founder and the pioneer of low-cost housing technology, the late Laurie Baker. A team of architects at Costford helped to fine-tune the design.

The layout lays stress on a large central open space with several interactive community spaces.

The 560 houses will be built in 28 blocks, with roads linking the blocks. Each of the 28 blocks features a ground-plus-three-floor design to accommodate 20 dwelling units.

“The infrastructural facilities and services in this type of design are more economical than providing for individual units,” explains Mr. Sajan.

The renovation of the sewage collection pond is a major component of the project. The pond will be cleaned, de-silted and provided with sidewalls and a drain to divert the overflow to the Thekkanamkara canal.

Two biogas plants equipped with power generators have been proposed to utilise the organic waste generated in the colony. The electricity generated by the plants will be used to power the streetlights in the open area.

To solve the problem of water-logging during rains, it is proposed to raise the ground level by four feet.

All the houses are to be connected to the sewerage network.

“For the overall development of the colony, we have tried to address three main issues namely, empowerment of women, community development and livelihood security,” Mr. Sajan says.

The project includes the construction of four work centres for Kudumbasree units employing women in the manufacture of banana chips and bakery items.

One of the major community facilities is a study centre-cum-library where children can study at night. “In the initial phase, Costford will make arrangements to provide coaching for students up to the entrance examination for professional courses. In due course, it is expected to become a self-sustaining system,” Mr. Sajan says.

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Project to redevelop Karimadom colony

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