Call to widen road to Mandapathinkadavu

Thiruvananthapuram: As a next step to the demolition drive in Peyad, the authorities are pushing for the widening of Karamana-Mandapathinkadavu road. During the previous UDF government’s tenure, a sum of Rs 29 crores was allocated for land acquisition. Road Infrastructure Company Kerala (RICK) Limited was entrusted with the implementation of this project, though it is a PWD Road.

However, after this, for a long time, there was little progress on the project. Now, the government has initiated the procedures in connection with land acquisition, according to Vilappil Panchayath president L Vijayaraj. “We will be pushing for the project,” he said. Recently, revenue officials and RICK conducted a joint inspection of the area, according to I. B. Satheeshan MLA. “The social impact study of the stretch has started. The progress of the project depends on its outcome. Once it is ready, a master plan incorporating the rehabilitation of shopkeepers who are to be displaced can be prepared,” he said.

The demolition drive started on Friday morning after a young woman was killed in an accident at the junction on Thursday. Though most were cooperating with the project initially, some have started raising objections, said Mr Vijayraj. Up to 3 m on either side of the road are being cleared. Houses which are occupied and a temple have been allowed to remain. The drive is expected to be complete on Saturday. “The local body will have to stay alert so that the area which was cleared will not be encroached upon again,” he said.