Towards a better city

Division no 51: Poonithura

Councillor: Mercy George (UDF)

Water-logging is pretty bad in some areas of Poonithura such as Petta, Gandhi Square and Thykoodam when there is heavy rainfall. Potable water shortage also troubles some areas.  Mercy George, the new councillor of the division, says, “Drainage cleaning is a priority, as water-logging has to be curbed. However, water-logging in some low areas won’t be solved by this alone and  something more has to be done. Maintaining the roads and byroads is also  important. As the funds for maintaining  some roads have already been allotted, this can be done soon. The streetlights have to be repaired across the division”.

She said, “Waste disposal is another problem that needs to be done more effectively in some areas. People throwing waste on streets and drains have to be discouraged. An awareness campaign about waste disposal will be a good idea. I am planning to ask the residents associations to encourage people to keep their areas clean.”

Water-logging to be solved

Division no 52: Vyttila Janatha

Councillor: Retnamma Raju (UDF)

Potholed roads and water-logging are the problems of Vyttila Janatha. Like other pockets in the city, streetlights that don’t work is a problem here also.

Retnamma Raju, who represents Vyttila Janatha this term, says that reducing water-logging and maintaining potholed roads are definitely her priority. She says, “Besides cleaning the drains, some of them will also be widened.

A new drainage has to be built in front of the Daffodils flats. Mosquito menace will have to be dealt with. The Toc-H roads will have to be raised and re-tarred.”

She has made a list of the streetlights that have to be repaired and has given it to a KSEB contractor to see whether some arrangements can be made to repair them.

“I had also called at the Corporation contractor’s office. Street dogs are also a problem here”.

She said that changing old pipes and building a library in the division  are some of the other works that she plans to carry out during her term.

Chettichira river needs cleaning

Division no 53: Ponnurunni

Councillor:  Soumya N S (UDF)

Pathetic main roads that test the patience of motorists mar the face of Poonithura. The condition of Subas Chandra Bose Road which was one of the better roads in the city till six to seven months ago is now riddled with potholes. Potable water shortage is severe in some areas of the division. Water-logging also troubles certain areas. Streetlights are another concern. Ponnurunni represented by former Deputy Mayor C K Manishanker in the last Council, is now represented by the youngest member of the Council, Soumya N S. Soumya says, “Apart from roads and bylanes that are in need of repair, potable water shortage is the biggest problem here.

Areas like Bhuvaneswari Road survive on tanker water, whereas in places around Lalsalam Road and Sahakarana Road, water pressure is too low at times and the people hardly get any water. At Kunjanbava Road also a few households suffer severe water shortage.” She says, “Drainage cleaning has to be done thoroughly throughout the division. Chettichira river has to be cleaned”.   “I am learning each problem thoroughly so that it can be solved fully. I want to do the work in such a way that people are benefited by it.”

Roads to be re-tarred

Division no 56: Panampilly Nagar

Councillor: M N Bhama Padmanabhan (UDF)

Water-logging and potholed roads are the problems of Panampilly Nagar, a division that features some of the best looking neighbourhoods in the  city.  The division is represented by Bhama Padmanbhan, wife of

T K Padmanabhan who represented Giri Nagar in the last election. She says, “Elders Park Road, Giri Nagar Club Road, Panampilly Avenue and Passport office Road that are in bad condition will be re-tarred soon after the rain as the tenders have already been issued for most of these roads”.  Cleaning of drains and canals has to be done more effectively and silt removed from the banks immediately afterwards, if water-logging is to be curbed. “Once the JNNURM-funded work of the drainage near Lakshadweep quarters is completed and the drains are linked with Perandoor Canal, water-logging troubles in the area will reduce considerably,” she says.