INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN KERALA

The successive state governments talk loudly during their terms about  different developmental projects in Kerala. Unfortunately it ends in their talks. There is no visible outcome when they depart on completion of the five year term. The first step to be taken for the development of the state is necessary infrastructure. Transportation is the prime among the infrastructure. Let us find some 'commendable' efforts by our political parties in development of infrastructure in our state.  We all have seen how these proposals were shelved  faster than these were proposed.

Some of us may remember about a proposal for an express highway from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasergod some years back.  Almost all political parties did their best to get the proposal scrapped. One more old story. Doubling of 114 km railway track between Ernakulam and Kayamkulam via Kottayam was started about three decades ago. The work from Ernakulam to Mulanthuruthy was completed many years ago. The work from Ettumanoor to Chingavanam is yet to be completed. No one knows the reason for this endless delay. There came a wonderful proposal recently; water plane from Ashtamudi lake to Kochi. It took no time to get it cancelled. Many parties, associations and organizations put their good efforts to see that it would not take off. In the recent past, one after the other alternative locations were proposed for new air ports. Places considered were Idukki/Anakkara, near Manimala in Kottayam district and Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district. We all have seen a series of meetings, discussions, rallies etc to pull the curtain down. Agitation is being continued at different parts to get the Sabari rail line cancelled.

These are all the pathetic state of primary infrastructure development in our state. Who should be held responsible for this? The successive governments or the leading political parties or the whole lot of people of the state? A suicidal attempt by all of us together!

KV George