It takes one around 45 minutes to traverse the 7.9-km stretch of the State Highway from Kandakadavu to South Chellanam, as the road has disappeared in many places, leaving large pools of water in between. But the local residents said that the rainy season was better as the dry weather would mean that they would have to protect themselves from the clouds of thick dust each time a vehicle passed by.
With few options left, the residents of Chellanam, the southern-most panchayat of the district, chose to protest. A hartal was observed in the panchayat on Monday last and the nearly 35 service buses to the region stayed off the road. The residents, in 20 buses, travelled to the District Collectorate at Kakkanad, to register their protest.
“The road laying work was commissioned during the tenure of the last LDF government and construction work was inaugurated just before the elections. But I understand now that the tarring was done without laying a granite layer and that has led to the present condition of the road,” said Dominic Presentation, MLA, who represents the area.
Funds to the tune of Rs.6.5 crore was earmarked in the State budget in 2008. While the stretch between Kannamali and Kandakadavu as well as the one starting from Pallippuram after South Chellanam remain in excellent condition, the Kandakadavu-South Chellanam stretch was totally damaged soon after it was laid.
Antony, a local resident, said that the improper mixing of ingredients led to the present condition of the stretch. He demonstrated this by removing the remaining tarred portion on the road with a gentle push with his toe.
“The condition of the road from Kandakadavu to Maruakadu can still be improved by proper tarring. But the remaining stretch has to be completely re-laid,” said K.X. Julappan, of Chellanam Development Alert Committee.
The committee members refuted the claims that the digging up of the newly laid road for laying water pipeline, and the geographical conditions of the region leading to water logging, caused the destruction of the road.
“Proper canals have been constructed on either sides of the road at South Chellanam, using the Tsunami Rehabilitation Fund. So the argument of water logging does not stand,” said Babu Palliparambil, convenor of the committee.
The local body authorities, however, maintained that roadwork would be carried out after the rainy season. “Discussions have been held with the district administration authorities and PWD officials and it has been promised that the work would be completed once the rain subsides. Protests that have come up now are political in nature,” said K.P. Thankachan, panchayat president.
The committee has lodged complaints with the Chief Minister and Minister for Public Works and is planning to demand a Vigilance inquiry into the work done so far.
Mr. Presentation also hinted at demanding a Vigilance inquiry.
With no immediate relief from the rain in view, the condition of the road is bound to worsen.
