The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has asked the State government to submit an explanation on the plight of roads in Aruvikkara.
In a statement here, SHRC chairman J.B. Koshy said the District Collector and Roads Division executive engineer had been asked to submit the explanation by October 30. The commission would take up the case for hearing during a sitting at its headquarters on November 4. The directions came in the wake of a complaint lodged by social worker V.R. Praveen Kumar stating that the condition of the roads had led to the people of Aruvikkara being denied their freedom and right to conveyance.
The complaint stated that the roads to Aruvikkara, a popular tourist spot, were in a pathetic condition for the past three years. The roads that were dug up to lay pipelines under the Japan International Cooperation Agency project were yet to be re-tarred. Though the pipeline was commissioned, the roads were yet to be restored properly.
The complainant also pointed out that though funds were sanctioned in the 2011-2012 State budget for renovation of the roads, nothing was the done. People were now finding it difficult even to walk along the roads there.
The government, during all-party meetings held at the Thiruvananthapuram Collectorate on June 10 and July 16, had promised that all roads in Aruvikkara panchayat would be repaired by July 2014. Even that assurance had not been kept so far, the complainant said.
