Kerala
Perumbalam residents seek bridges to mainland
Renu Ramanath
Memorandum submitted to Chief Minister in this regard
KOCHI: Residents of the Perumbalam island, located in the Vembanad Lake between Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts, are continuing their wait for a series of bridges that will put an end to their isolated lives.
The people are now pinning hopes on the State Government after submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan regarding the bridges that will connect the island with the mainland.
In fact, that was the first memorandum received by Mr. Achuthanandan after he assumed office as the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister had promised to take necessary steps to obtain administrative sanction for the project report prepared by the Public Works Department for the construction of the bridges, according to K.B. Rajesh, convener of the Perumbalam Boat Passengers Association.
For the residents of the island, daily activities like going to offices and schools or colleges in Ernakulam, Kottayam and Alappuzha districts have become an ordeal, especially during the monsoon.
The Boat Passengers Association points out that irregular service of boats, long gap between services and the delay caused by the boats having to go to the Panavally station for refuelling and for change of duty of employees are some of the problems faced by the passengers.
New boat service sought
They have requested the Chief Minister that the authorities sanction a boat service on the South Paravur-Erappuzha sector, boat station and workshop at Perumbalam.
They also sought steps to increase the depth and width of the canal for making the boat service smoother.
The long-standing demand of the local people is for bridges that will connect the island with Poothotta in Ernakulam district as well as with Panavally in Alappuzha district.
A report prepared by the Assistant Executive Engineer (Roads Subdivision) of the Public Works Department at an estimated budget of Rs.152 crores is now awaiting administrative sanction.
The series of bridges will include one from Pathrakkadavu at Poothotta Jetty to Vattavayal Thuruthu which will be 225 metres long, a second one of 750 metres connecting Vattavayal to Vattukadu in Perumablam island and a third one of 1,600 metres connecting Perumbalam Jetty with Panavally Jetty in Alappuzha.
The report was drafted following a memorandum given at the Public Grievance Redressal Cell of the Chief Minister during the UDF Government's tenure, according to Mr. Rajesh.
However, since the completion of the bridges will be time-consuming, people are demanding a jankar service between Poothotta and Perumbalam.
The island is facing many other problems including lack of medical facilities, shortage of drinking water, interruption in power supply and lack of good, motorable roads.
(The Hindu - June 7, 2006)
Perumbalam residents seek bridges to mainland
Renu Ramanath
Memorandum submitted to Chief Minister in this regard
KOCHI: Residents of the Perumbalam island, located in the Vembanad Lake between Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts, are continuing their wait for a series of bridges that will put an end to their isolated lives.
The people are now pinning hopes on the State Government after submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan regarding the bridges that will connect the island with the mainland.
In fact, that was the first memorandum received by Mr. Achuthanandan after he assumed office as the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister had promised to take necessary steps to obtain administrative sanction for the project report prepared by the Public Works Department for the construction of the bridges, according to K.B. Rajesh, convener of the Perumbalam Boat Passengers Association.
For the residents of the island, daily activities like going to offices and schools or colleges in Ernakulam, Kottayam and Alappuzha districts have become an ordeal, especially during the monsoon.
The Boat Passengers Association points out that irregular service of boats, long gap between services and the delay caused by the boats having to go to the Panavally station for refuelling and for change of duty of employees are some of the problems faced by the passengers.
New boat service sought
They have requested the Chief Minister that the authorities sanction a boat service on the South Paravur-Erappuzha sector, boat station and workshop at Perumbalam.
They also sought steps to increase the depth and width of the canal for making the boat service smoother.
The long-standing demand of the local people is for bridges that will connect the island with Poothotta in Ernakulam district as well as with Panavally in Alappuzha district.
A report prepared by the Assistant Executive Engineer (Roads Subdivision) of the Public Works Department at an estimated budget of Rs.152 crores is now awaiting administrative sanction.
The series of bridges will include one from Pathrakkadavu at Poothotta Jetty to Vattavayal Thuruthu which will be 225 metres long, a second one of 750 metres connecting Vattavayal to Vattukadu in Perumablam island and a third one of 1,600 metres connecting Perumbalam Jetty with Panavally Jetty in Alappuzha.
The report was drafted following a memorandum given at the Public Grievance Redressal Cell of the Chief Minister during the UDF Government's tenure, according to Mr. Rajesh.
However, since the completion of the bridges will be time-consuming, people are demanding a jankar service between Poothotta and Perumbalam.
The island is facing many other problems including lack of medical facilities, shortage of drinking water, interruption in power supply and lack of good, motorable roads.
(The Hindu - June 7, 2006)
posted by renuramanath at 4:01 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home