The New Indian Express 03.09.2010
Water scarcity at Kunumpuram
KOCHI: Kunnumpuram is represented by the Mayor of Kochi, Mercy Williams. LDF is hoping for a victory here the second time around whereas UDF is hoping for a win in the division which has supported UDF candidates many times previously.
The division is in the general category this time. Apart from basic infrastructure development, other projects like the total computerisation project has been implemented here. Three medical camps have also been organised here in the last five years.
Division Committee Member, Udayakumar A G says, “A lot of effort has been made to solve basic problems like shortage of potable water and waterlogging.
The potable water problem at Nikathu has been solved by changing the pipes. Much has been done to improve the roads in the division as well.” He claims that around 2 crores from various funds like the People’s Plan Fund, Division Fund and General Fund have been spend on tarring around 22 roads in the division like Mannam Road, Ambedkar Road, Peeliyaad Road, Metal Box Road, Poysha Road etc. Two new roads has been made by widening and concreting the existing byroad in the Manappuram Colony area and at Peeliyaad. Drainage has also been constructed or maintained across the division. The drain at Rao Colony has solved the waterlogging problems in that area.
Says Udayakumar, “Vadathodu, a stream in the division has been protected by building side walls by spending 25 lakhs from the People’s Plan Fund. This work is still going on.
Various funds were utilised to protect the Manmuttappuram river by building walls on its sides”.
According to him, 30 houses were sanctioned in the division under Basic Services to the Urban Poor scheme, another ten houses were sanctioned under the Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana. And now a list of 175 people has been recognised under the EMS housing scheme (EMS Sampoorna Paarpida Padhati).
He adds that street lights have been installed across the division and new posts have been put and new lines drawn to provide street lights wherever needed. Additional funds from the corporation have been spent on building a library and a homoeo clinic.
Udayakumar says that twenty eight lakhs has been allotted under Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project for basic infrastructure development at Manappuram Colony. Tender has been issued for this work. Residents at Kunnumpuram complaints of waterlogging at many places especially near Brahmasthana, Kunnumpuram and V A Padi. They say that shortage of potable water is a problem in a few areas. There is also a need for more public space, as according to residents, public spaces have all been encroached by various people while authorities have failed to keep track of this.
