The district administration’s innovative project, “Nammakku Niratham Nammude Nirathu (4N) or roughly translated as “we will fill the potholes ourselves” was launched by Mayor A.K. Premajam here on Thursday.
The project, a brainchild of District Collector N. Prasanth, is aimed at carrying out the patchwork of roads in the city by securing funds from business houses, shopkeepers, commercial establishments, and individuals. The pilot project will be implemented on the 5-km stretch from West Hill Chungam to the Baby Memorial Hospital at Arayidathupalam on the Kozhikode Mini Bypass.
The UL Cyber Park of the Vadakara-based Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) had decided to donate funds during the implementation of the pilot project, Mr. Prasanth said.
The project will be implemented with the cooperation and support of the public. More sponsors will be identified for the purpose. Its main aim is to fill the potholes that have remained without repair for more than 48 hours. This apart, the work contract is not included in the Public Works Department and the Kozhikode Corporation.
Usually the patchwork is delayed due to the technicalities in awarding the tenders. Hopefully the 4N project would solve this, the Collector said. An advertisement board having a length of up to one square metre will display the name of the sponsor on the machine used for repairing the pothole everyday with the tagline ‘Kuzhivazhipadu’ (Tribute to Pothole).
The funds for the projects would be sourced from this method. Those willing to sponsor can contact the district administration.
The district administration has already held a meeting with all stakeholders, including officials of the Public Works Department, Kerala Water Authority, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. UL Cyber Park director M.M. Surendran and administrative manager T.K. Kishore Kumar were present on the occasion.
