Development gets a big 'NO' in Kerala

Political gimmicks are universal. The biggest democracy India still struggle to overcome the tag “developing nation” as politicians work real hard putting seasonal gimmicks to halt beneficial infrastructure projects. When it comes to Kerala, no word is perfect but hartal( general strike) to give a picture of the political landscape of the state. One such incident was the Karamana-Kaliyikavila national highway which got to a standstill during its initial years for no big reason. Notwithstanding the contrarian voices, the then government under Oomen Chandy grabbed the nerve to complete the project, which turned out not just effective but convenient for the people of Trivandrum.

And now, things have gone awry again in the capital. Organizations along with local natives are coming en masse to protest against the government's lukewarm approach of not widening the highway from Balaramapuram to Vazhimukku. The promised under-passage in Balaramapuram is still lacking behind. It was G.Sudhakaran, the then minister of Public works who initiated plans of widening and even gave a word of promise to complete the works within 2 years.

Sadly, the minister couldn't walk the talk as the project is at standstill after not two but five long years. The natives here harbor a fear of not getting appropriate compensation for the land taken. Many other opinions emanate point at the financial dearth of the present government for the lax shown in development. If this is the way forward, the Karamana-kaliyikavila stretch will not see the light even after if the much-touted Vizhinjam-Parippally ring road gets completed.

The years of dispute and turmoil over this project need to be cleared. Politicians favour gimmicks over development as evident from the years of neglect shown in this project. It is high time the dispute reaches an end and the government should curb the worries and bring the promised projects to reality.