THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Local people, under the banner of the Highway Protection Council, have demanded a comprehensive review of the plan for developing an eight-kilometre stretch of the National Highway-66 which skirts the capital city on the western side. The council has called for a detailed investigation into the ‘’unscientific manner’ in which the development work has been designed, especially at Eanchakkal and Muttathara junctions which serve as entry points to the city. According to the council representatives, the present design, which covers the busy junctions of Eanchakkal, Chakkai, Muttahthara and Thiruvallam, serves only to geographically divide the region. This plan should be dropped, council chairperson Chinchu, who is also city corporation councillor for Perunthanni, said on Friday.
The council leaders alleged the development works were launched without taking the local people into confidence. A major objection they have raised is against the construction of wall-like structures as supports for road overbridges planned at the junctions. When the bridges are built, avoid ‘ramparts’ as supports but use pillars so as not to hinder visibility, the council said. The present design would trigger environmental problems in the long run, they said. It will also cause waterlogging in the region during monsoon months, they said.
A second demand raised by the council is the controversial ramp near the international airport should be demolished at the earliest. Although the state government had earlier issued orders for its demolition, the order was not implemented due to interference by ‘’outside forces,’’ the protection council said. Other demands include construction of under-passes to enable easier travel facilities for residents of Thiruvallam, Edayar, Moonattumukku and Poonthura. The council leaders said they had submitted petitions to the Prime Minister, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Chief Minister, PWD Minister, MP and MLA, but no action has been taken so far.