Thiruvananthapuram: Women-friendly corridor delayed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ambitious women-friendly corridor project of the City Corporation connecting two prime women only educational institutions in the state capital has hit a roadblock. The delay in getting the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Public Works Department (PWD) is delaying the project inordinately.

Even after awarding the work, the civic body is unable to execute the project as the road chosen for the project belongs to PWD. The civic body has awarded the work order to transform the road stretch connecting Cotton Hill Girls' High School, Govt Women's College, and Bakery Jn into a women-friendly corridor. Around '2 crores have been earmarked for the project.

The other day, a team led by the Mayor, visited the spot but the officials of PWD abstained from the spot visit further delaying the project. Mayor V.K. Prasanth said that one more spot visit would be done along with PWD officials next week. “There are some minor issues. We had asked for space inside the Women’s College campus for setting up some amenities. But the authorities have refused to provide the space as we insisted on a public entry without hindering the privacy of the campus. We will get the NoC soon and our aim is to finish the project by March,” said Mr Prasanth.

The project aims at giving the city its first-ever women-friendly corridor. As part of the project, several amenities including lactation kiosk, e-toilet, seating arrangements, good lighting, hand railing, covered pathway are being planned in the stretch.

“Women Walk Way is the official name of the project. The actual plan was to provide a covered pathway but there is a protest from the part of shop owners that covered pathway would affect their business,” said Mr Prasanth.  The civic body is planning to set up a hi-tech bus shelter at Bakery Jn with modern toilet facilities as part of the project.

“Wall art will be one of the components and the work of which will kick off by next week. Our plan is to display the picture and stories of the women who made history,” the Mayor added.

While a top official of the PWD said that they have no objection in giving permission for the project. “We haven’t received an official request from the Corporation so far. Once we receive the request we will give the NoC,” said the official.