The widening of the Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu road is once again back in focus after the Lok Sabha elections.
After being let down completely, residents’ associations led by historian M.G.S. Narayanan have decided to relaunch agitations including road blockades in the city. Under the banner of the Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu Road Action Committee, they will hold a mass convention at the Malaparamba Housing Colony at 5 p.m. on July 14. They would hold a blockade on the National Highway at Malaparamba junction on July 29. Social and cultural activists, elected representatives of people, city corporation councillors, and residents’ association activists would take part in the convention.
The government had released ₹64 crore to acquire land after the action committee held agitations in front of the district collectorate. The government is yet tot release ₹100 crore meant for land acquisition in the 8.4-km stretch, Dr. Narayanan said.
He said the Left Democratic Front had promised to release the funds required for the road widening project within 100 days after coming to power. This was also mentioned in its election manifesto.
The Finance Minister had said that the project would be included in the first phase of a Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board scheme in March 2017. The Public Works Department had also submitted a project report to the Finance Department in this regard. An all-party meeting held in the presence of the legislators and Ministers had also yielded no positive result, he pointed out.
