The New Indian Express 23.09.2010
Beautifying work on at Panampilly Nagar
KOCHI: Panampilly Nagar represented by V K Thankaraj, is a division where both the LDF and the UDF can truly claim an equal chance, as both the parties have won at different times. Though known as one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in the city, the division has got all kinds of residents in its fold. Panampilly Nagar, which was in the general category last time, is to be reserved for women this time around.Thankaraj claims he has done much to solve the waterlogging problems of the place. “A big drain of 1.25 metre width was built parallel to the Avenue Road on one side. Two culverts were built in the division, one near Avenue Hotel and another near the Passport Office. ` 40 lakh from both Plan Fund and the general fund was used for this purpose. The drains near Panampilly Nagar MIG colony were rebuilt using ` 10 lakh from both general and division fund. The drain at HIG quarters was rebuilt utilising ` 5 lakh from the Division Fund and the rebuilding work of the drains near LIG quarters using the division fund is currently on. The drainage work was carried out at Krishnavihar Colony too.”
He says two big projects were carried out using the JNNURM fund. “` 27 lakh from the JNNURM Plan was used to make a big drain from K J Joseph Road to Kizhavana Thodu. This helped reduce waterlogging in the Ambikapuram Church area. ` 26 lakh from JNNURM was utilised to maintain the drains on both sides of the road near Panampilly Nagar shopping complex. A drain was built between the Passport Office and SBT, spending
` 10 lakh from the general fund. This helped reduce waterlogging near Passport Office. ” Says the councillor - ` 20 lakh from the People’s Plan fund was used to raise and tar Shihab Thangal Road. The Parambithara Road tarring, drainage maintenance and the installing of covering slabs were done using the Division Fund. ` 10 lakh from the Plan Fund was used to raise and tar the Kizhavana Road. Around ` 15 lakh was spent on putting sodium vapour lamps in various parts of the division.
Thankaraj says beautifying work was also carried out at the division. A new park was set up at around 35 cents at the South Shipyard Colony. The whole compound was neatly enclosed, an open stage built and play equipment purchased. A new Anganwadi was rebuilt using ` 5 lakh from the People’s Plan Fund. The homoeo dispensary in the area was similarly renovated. A small park was developed on the Perandoor Canal side. Here tiles were laid and a platform built around a big tree, which is now used as a bench.
According to the councillor, two other parks in the area were also renovated. Park no. 4, known as Ayyappan Vilakku Ground was developed spending ` 3 lakh from the People’s Plan fund. The park was modified with an open stage, benches and play equipment. Another park near MIG colony was modified with a compound wall, an open stage, a walkway with tiles etc. ` 4 lakh from the general fund was utilised for this purpose.
` 17 lakh from the KSUDP fund was used for slum development work at the Puthuchira Colony. Here slabs were placed over the Avenue Thodu and a footpath built. The Panampilly Nagar road tarring was also done along with this. The Scheduled Caste fund was utilised to maintain the roads near the Passport Office.
The councillor says that 35 people were given houses under the BSUP scheme. Water was provided on tanker lorries to areas where there was serious potable water shortage. The tenders for road re-tarring from Manorama Junction to IOC Office have been issued.
Residents in many areas in the division complain of severe water shortage, especially in summer. Residents here agrees that waterlogging problems have been solved to a large extent through many initiatives, though some of the low-lying areas still suffer problems during heavy rain. They complain that the roads here are full of potholes during the rain.
Panampilly Nagar will be division no: 56 in the coming elections.
