The New Indian Express 13.10.2010
‘People should elect the mayor’
KOCHI: Is it difficult for a mayor to overcome pressures from the party to which he/she belongs? Yes, says veteran journalist K M Roy. “The mayor should be elected directly by the people,” he says. “The mayor must be accountable to the people. But for this, he/she should be elected directly by the people and not by councillors of any party,” says Roy.Roy who was a member of the Kochi Corporation Council during the 1979-84 period says he was wonder-struck by the development of the city in the last two-and-a-half decades. “During my tenure as a councillor, I presented a resolution in the council for the construction of underground subways at busy junctions in the city. But the majority of councillors opposed it saying the people will get struck in subways during heavy rain as the city is vulnerable to waterlogging. I still laugh at their innocent remarks,” says Roy.
He says the present day councillors are much more aware of the modern technologies. But still the council lacks experts in the respective fields. “It is a technology-driven era. Several technically advanced projects are in the pipeline for the city. We need experts from all fields, including techies and chartered accountants, in the council,” says Roy.
He pointed out that there is a provision in the Corporation Act which empowers the mayor to nominate two experts to the council directly. “But this provision still remains on paper,” he says. Commenting on the lack of public transport system in the city, Roy says suburban trains can be an ideal solution for the improvement of the transportation sector.
“A suburban rail connecting Ernakulam with Thrissur, Alappuzha and Kottayam will help improve the public transport system. We have the existing infrastructure to implement a suburban project. The authorities should have a positive attitude to carry the project forward,” says Roy.
On the improvement of the condition of roads and traffic congestion, Roy says construction of flyovers alone cannot solve the issue. “Along with flyovers, a modernised parking system and construction of roads on a guarantee basis are important.”
Roy is of the opinion that bureaucratisation of development and economic activities is an issue. “The public should intervene in the development activities. Civilians should ensure their presence in the ward committees held every month. They should be aware of the developments taking place in their divisions,” Roy says.
