Releasing the division from its dependence on tanker lorries for meeting the drinking water needs and making the thoroughfares navigable were the key achievements in the division, claimed Thampi Subrahmaniam.

On an average, three tanker lorries used to supply drinking water a day to many parts of the division as many areas were reeling under acute drinking water shortage. The issue was addressed by providing new water supply pipe connections in byroads to these areas. More connections would be provided shortly, he said.

Though the council came into power nearly one-and-a-half years ago, precious eight months were lost on account of the agitation of the contractors of the Kochi Corporation and the model code of conduct slapped by the Election Commission. The contractors of the Corporation went for a strike by boycotting the tender works demanding clearance of their dues. This had hit many of the development projects of the city. Many projects got delayed as the contractors refused to take up the work despite floating of tenders, he said.

All the major roads in the division were in a bad shape earlier.

Attention was paid for making them motorable including the MLA road. Sukritham Road, Naattukoottam Road, Palluruthy Relief Settlement Road and the one near Indira junction in the division were not tarred earlier. These roads were tarred much to the relief of the residents of the area, he said.

The 40-feet-Road, one of the main streets in the division, was ill-lit as the civic representatives didn’t bother to fix street lights there. Electrification works were completed along the road stretch and sodium vapour lamps were installed, Mr. Subrahmaniam said.

The re-laying of the 40-feet-Road and MLA road using bitumen macadam and bitumen concrete will begin shortly as the Public Works Department will take up the road works in the West Kochi area. The SDPY Road development project has got a financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 12 lakh from the MLA fund of K. Babu, he said.

A large number of drains in the division lacked covering slabs. Covering slabs were provided for these drains and the height of the road increased to provide better access and carriageway for vehicles. An anganwadi and a hall for the area development society were constructed near Nambyapuram church, he said.

P.S. Viju, who tasted defeat at the hands of Mr. Subrahmaniam in the election, said that many promises made by the councillor during the election remained unfulfilled. Drinking water shortage is being felt in new areas. The cleaning of drains and maintenance of street lights are far from satisfactory, said Mr. Viju, who had earlier served as a councillor of the Kochi corporation.

Future plans

Mr. Subrahmaniam said that development plans for Kalathara, Kattummal Parambu and Vilakkupaadam colonies were on the cards. An estimate has been prepared for implementing infrastructure development projects in these colonies. A proposal for developing a fish landing centre at the fisherman colony and construction of a seawall are also being actively considered. Efforts are also on to generate funds for the development projects with the support of MLAs and MPs for the division, Mr. Subrahmaniam said.