Technopark area to be lit up in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: Coming as a relief to the long pending woes of techies, a high-level meeting convened by the government recently, decided to install streetlights in all poorly lit areas around Technopark on a priority basis.

It was also decided to develop a bicycle track and a walkway along Kariyavattom - Technopark old gate stretch.

Chief Secretary S.M. Vijayanand convened the meeting as per the instructions of Chief Minister Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan to address the key issues faced by techies. Officials of the Technopark, City Corporation and various agencies were also present.

Mayor V.K. Prasanth said that LED streetlights would be installed at all the spots identified at the meeting. Kerala State Electricity Board Limited officials had started preparing the estimate. “We will install the streetlights on a priority basis,” said Mr. Prasanth, who is also the local ward councilor.

The areas identified for installing the streetlights on a priority basis include Mulluvila road, Ambalathinkara road, Trippadapuram road, Kazhakkoottam railway station road and Technopark Kallingal road. The proposed bicycle track and walkway from Kariyavattom –Technopark old gate via Ambalatinkara will be developed through sponsorships from Technopark firms.

Kazhakoottam cyber city assistant commissioner of police Pramod Kumar A said that the lack of streetlights was a serious issue concerning the safety of Technopark areas. Most of the byroads near the Technopark were poorly lit, he added.

“We have been demanding proper lighting for a long time as hundreds of techies who stay in houses around Technopark have to walk along these roads regularly,” said Rajeev Krishnan, secretary of Prathidhwani, a socio-cultural outfit of techies.

Technopark chief executive officer Mr. Hrishikesh Nair said that the spots to be lit up were identified after collecting feedback from Technopark companies and their employees.