KOZHIKODE: The Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP) is in deep disappointment over the state government ignoring its alternative for easing traffic in Taliparamba.
The leftist body prefers widening the existing NH and a flyover from Ezham Mile to Lourdes Hospital, which is the busiest stretch, sparing the Keezhattoor paddy fields.
Citing the dual-mode of road transport widely used in major cities, it claims that it can save 22 hectares of rare wetland of Keezhattur-Koovod-Kuttikol stretch.
But as per the statement of PWD minister G. Sudhakaran in the Assembly, the government had considered only two options for the bypass road; Kuttikol-Plathottam-Kuppam route and Kuttikol-Koovod-Keezhattur route.
The highway authorities rejected the first alignment citing many buildings to be demolished but issued notification for the second at the cost of paddy fields and wetlands.
“The minister has acknowledged our idea, but no discussion took place. It’s unfortunate that not only the government but also ‘Vayalkilikal’ didn’t respond,” laments KSSP president T. Gangadharan.
KSSP says though constructing fly-over on 2.1 km will be expensive, it will be viable in the long run and can save the ecology.
“Wetlands to be filled now is the water reservoir of the entire Taliparamba, Puliparamba, Koovod, and Plathottam region from where water flows in during rains," he says.
"Besides, around 6,48,00 cubic meters of soil would be required to fill the area. Where will you get this much soil? By destructing small hills?”
The KSSP also criticises the left government for not implementing the conservation of paddy land and wetland Act of 2008 and reducing the permissible distance between a quarry and human settlement to 50 metres.
Director of Payyannur-based Society for Environmental Education in Kerala (SEEK), T.P. Padmanabhan, warns that paddy fields of Keezhattur are rare ones situated amid laterite hills.
“It’s different from the paddy fields of the coastal area. It can store more water due to the presence of clay,” he said.
He also vouches for KSSP’s proposal.
