P.K. Sreemathi, MP, has said that plans are afoot to develop the 14-acre Chirakkalchira pond in the outskirts of this town into a major drinking water source when the municipality is upgraded to a city Corporation with the next local body election.
At a press conference here on Saturday, Ms. Sreemathi said the pond, owned by the erstwhile Chirakkal royal house, would be a major source of drinking water for the Kannur Corporation. A proposal in this regard had been submitted to the authorities. “What is envisaged is not mere renovation of the pond by constructing side protection walls, but also installation of water filtration systems to make water from the pond potable,” she said. The Chirakkal house had agreed to get the consent of the legal heirs of the property. The project was expected to be a reality by May next year when she would have completed second year as MP.
Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson had visited the area recently and announced nearly Rs.3 crore for the renovation of Anakkulam, Chettyarkulam, and Valiyakulam utilising disaster management funds, she said. The initial allocation of the funds was expected soon, she added.
The MP said she would mobilise funds for constructing toilets in schools in the district. Noting that 55 schools in the district had no toilets and many schools had only limited sanitation amenities, she said that in the next year, the priority would be given to providing adequate toilets in the schools. She would mobilise corporate social responsibility funds and funds from local bodies for the project.
Ms. Sreemathi also said that Skill Development Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy had responded positively to her proposal to establish a Skill Development Planning Centre at the Kinfra Textile Centre at Nadukani here.
Proposal submitted on 14-acre pond
Filtration system to be installed
