Kerala - Kochi
Ban on digging of roads during monsoon

Staff Reporter

Health Department directed to maintain adequate stock of medicines

KOCHI: District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish said digging and cutting of roads for laying cables would not be allowed during the monsoon.

He said the district administration was taking steps to deal with emergencies that might arise during the monsoon season. Control rooms have already been set up. The Health Department has been directed to stock adequate medicines to tackle monsoon-related diseases. Other steps, including the activities of mobile units and survey units, were being speeded up, the Collector told a meeting of the District Development Committee held at Kakkanad on Saturday.

The Collector said stringent action would be taken in cases relating to reclamation of paddy fields. Any lapse on the part of officers, including Agriculture Department officials, will lead to action. The police have also been directed to take strong action in cases relating to reclamation.

The DDC was informed that bills worth Rs.6.48 crores have to be settled in connection with the 352 works for drought-relief work, which were completed.

The Regional Transport Officer said the licences of 35 vehicles and permits of four buses had been cancelled in connection with the steps being taken against unauthorised bus services via the Varappuzha Bridge. Complaints had risen regarding the unauthorised service of private buses along the Varappuzha Bridge, which was part of a nationalised route on National Highway-17. Kothamangalam MLA T.U. Kuruvila demanded that a police outpost should be set up at Bhoothathankettu.

The meeting was informed of a communication from the BSF about its decision to cancel the move to set up a unit at Kunnukara. The decision to set up a BSF unit in Kunnukara had drawn widespread protest from the local public.
(The Hindu - May 29, 2006)