Urban News

The project envisages comprehensive development of 18 wards in the city at a cost of ` 100 crore. This sum will be collected through the Government, the City Corporation, Attukal Temple Trust, MLA fund and through other agencies. Once work is kicked off, it will be completed in five years’ time.

At the centre of this project is the famed Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, frequented in droves by devotees. Though the Attukal ward is situated in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city, it has not attracted much development in the way of commerce. Construction has largely been confined to dwellings. The roads are narrow and prone to traffic blocks. Inadequate sewerage and absence of parks and playgrounds are other major problems. Natural resources like the Killiyar river and open low-lying areas are not protected properly. Enough reasons to plan the region’s development in a proper manner, the seminar concluded.

The areas falling within the perimeter of the road from Thampanoor Overbridge to Ambalathara, Thampanoor-Pappanamcode Road and the Kaimanam-Karumam-Thiruvallam Road are to be included in the project. The Fort area and some of the western portions of the Attakkulangara-Thiruvallom Road may also be considered.

Availability of drinking water, development of adequate drainage and sewerage and construction of toilets are to be included in the plan. The absence of permanent arrangements for conducting the annual Pongala also was pointed out at the seminar.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister C Divakaran, who inaugurated the seminar, promised the State Government’s all-out support for the project. V Sivankutty MLA, who heads the advisory committee, presided. City Police Commissioner M R Ajit Kumar, LSG Secretary R K Singh and Corporation councillors were present. Former Chief Town Planner A Kasturirangan, who heads the technical committee, introduced the project to the audience.