All government departments concerned should work in tandem to ensure the smooth conduct of Attukal Pongala, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said.
He was addressing an inter-departmental review at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Hall here on Monday, ahead of the event on February 26.
The meeting discussed a number of pending works, the focus being on the renovation of roads. Officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) said tenders had been floated for construction work costing Rs.77 lakh. As many as 24 ‘road routes’ would be repaired.
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A sum of Rs.2.5 crore would be allotted to repair Corporation roads, Mr. Chandy said as councillors raised concerns over the roads maintained by the civic body.
“At the time of allocation of Plan Funds, there was no need to take up road work around the temple. But the roads were dug up for the laying of underground cables and pipes. We do not have funds now,” Attukal councillor C. Jayan said.
Minister for Health and Devaswom V.S. Sivakumar, Minister for Urban Affairs, Manjalamkuzhy Ali, and V. Sivankutty, MLA, would look into additional road repair requirements in neighbouring wards and more funds will be proffered accordingly, Mr. Chandy said.
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An official of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) said repair of lines and laying of new cables in the region would be completed before February 10.
Also on the anvil was a plan to install LED lamps, instead of the present plan to put in place over 200 sodium vapour street lights.
The Sewerage Division of the Kerala Water Authority had been asked to complete drain repairs.
The total outlay for the work was Rs.45 lakh. Corporation councillors expressed their anxiety regarding the condition of drains and open manholes.
Mr. Chandy said he would speak to the Minister for Water Resources immediately and convene a meeting to discuss the issue.
Drinking water would be provided at the venue and tanks would be in place. In addition, the KWA would install 800 additional taps. All these would be completed before February 20, Mr. Sivakumar said.
Police officers said special arrangements had been made for the entire festival week. More closed-circuit cameras would be installed, taking into account the rise in the number of participants.