The Hindu : Kerala News : Reader's Mail

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Friday, Oct 20, 2006
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Kerala

Reader's Mail

Oil and gas reserve

It is widely believed that there is a large reserve of oil and natural gas in Kochi High. Now the ONGC has taken steps to conduct scientific survey regarding the extent of this reserve.

A few years ago such a survey was conducted and on the basis of its results experimental drilling was conducted. But due to unknown reasons it was abandoned halfway. It is doubted that the ONGC is not enthusiastic about oil from Kochi High.

Needless to say, if the oil reserve in the Kerala coast is exploited it will definitely lead to an economical boom to not only Kochi but also the whole Kerala. The loss-making FACT can run its ammonia plant on natural gas and cut down drastically its production cost and can make profit. The NTPC power plant can use the natural gas and produce cost-effective electricity. The Kochi Refinery will also be benefited. Ancillary industries based on natural gas and other petroleum

products will come up in and around Kochi. In short, the oil from Kochi High will give a thrust to the economic growth of Kerala.

It is understood that present venture by the ONGC is due the consistent effort of MPs of Kerala. They must continue exerting pressure on the Petroleum Ministry and the ONGC to continue the exploration till positive results are obtained. The State Government must also represent strongly to Union Government to compel the ONGC to put sincere effort in the present survey. The

political parties of Kerala must forget their ideological differences and stand together in this

matter of utmost importance to the development of the State.

P.T. Abraham
Changampuzha Nagar

Education loans

This refers to `Volume of education loans growing fast' (The Hindu, October 14). It is obvious that the social changes taking place among the various sections in society demand such a positive approach by the banks and this explains the incidence of 17 per cent education loans out of the total credit in the State. The status of education improves among the needy sections of society. The chances of their being well-placed improve. This may bring in overall development in the living standards among the poorer sections in the State. This is the optimistic version of the matter.

Turning to the other side, we find enormous unemployment and under employment among the professionally qualified youth. There are many instances where highly qualified engineering graduates opting for the clerical work, not because of their liking the job, but for the absence of adequate avenues in the field they practised. This indeed is tantamount to huge national wastage. We have to view the mounting education loans in this backdrop as well. The banks would only be justified in expressing concern over the recoverability of such loans. The IBA and the RBI should study the matter at all levels and improve upon the present scheme where the students as well as the banks are not put into hardship during the pendency of the loans. The accretion of further fresh NPAs would indeed weaken the banks and decrease their ability to lend and this would pose unhealthy problems in the State. The banks are expected to help all sections of society and hence a thorough introspection is required in respect of too much credit take-off under all the categories. But this should not encourage the banks to deny loans to any section of society, be it students or traders.

C.P. Velayudhan Nair
North Edappally

Traffic congestion

The busy roads at Thripunithura have become a nightmare for both the pedestrians and the motorists alike. The stretch between S.N Juntion and Pettah has become congested with vehicular traffic, especially during peak hours and the pedestrians are suffering the most. The major reason for such a situation is the unscientific parking being undertaken by the motorists. They park their vehicles on either side of the roads without any concern for the movement of vehicular traffic. The service of the police personnel is mostly not available in the areas.

The only lasting solution for the problem is to install an automatic traffic signal system at S.N. Junction. There will not be any difficulty to find a sponsor for the same as a lot of industrial establishments are located nearby. Also the service of the police in the two major junctions in the stretch, Alliance Junction and Vadakkekotta, would certainly help the free flow of vehicular traffic.

Joseph George A
Thripunithura

Bad roads

I would like to draw the attention of the authorities to the despicable road conditions in the city. Potholes of immense sizes which can damage cars and can even kill two-wheeler riders are left unattended by the civic authorities. One can understand that during the rainy days much cannot be done but at least the authorities concerned can fill the holes with sand and metal, for the time being.

The Kaloor-Kadavanthara road is a stark example of the authorities' indifference. The continuous travel on these roads will irreparably damage the vehicles besides causing discomfort to the

Citizens. The authorities should act immediately and take steps to repair all roads in the city at least on a temporary basis and thereafter once the rains subside they can do `pucca' repairs.

P. Venkatachalam
Panampally Nagar

Waste management

About one lakh people had engaged in cleaning the city recently. The people have realised what is the outcome if we are not alert to the situation. Various resident associations, schools, colleges and agencies like hotel, restaurants and neighbourhood groups participated in the sanitation campaign. The campaign should continue so that we can live in a clean city.

There was an order two years ago by the Ombudsman for Local Self-Government Institutions asking hospitals and health care centres to install Placenta Anaerobic Bio-reactors (PAB) and Body Parts Anaerobic Bio-reactors (BPAB) for treating hospital waste. The Ombudsman also had

set a deadline of six months for implementing the order.

The hospitals should have their own systems to handle waste. A few scientists of the School of Environmental Studies at the Cochin University of Science and Technology had developed PAB and BPAB at the behest of the Qualified Private Medical Practitioners and Hospitals Association.

The city corporation should start a decentralised waste management system incorporating the suggestions of the Ombudsman.

Davis Vithayathil
Thripunithura

Broadway development

The Broadway in Kochi is an anomaly in terms. The encroachment of the footpaths is the order of the day. The hardships suffered by the pedestrians passing through the thoroughfare is very many. One can notice several encroachments of the busy footpaths in the Broadway. To avoid congestions experienced in the Broadway, the following suggestions may be considered:

Footpaths for pedestrians should be limited to any one side of the Broadway. It will be more practical to have one on the eastern side.

If the footpaths on the other side, i.e. western side, is demolished, that space can be saved for the car parking facility.

Strict regulations prohibiting encroachments of footpaths should be implemented.

H. Ravikumar Pai
South Cherlai

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