PALAKKAD: The move to demolish the civil court complex at Ottappalam to set up a mini civil station has drawn strong protests from the public as it is felt that it will only worsen the congestion in the town.
With the railway station road already congested, the setting up of a multi-storey mini civil station in the heart of Ottappalam town with plans to accommodate over 35 offices, will only cause the traffic to go haywire.
Usually, civil stations are set up on the outskirts to prevent congestion.
Those in Palakkad, Kozhikode and the one at Kakkanad in Ernakulam are examples.
Compounding the issue, many commercial establishments in Ottappalam town are trying their best not to part with land for the widening of the road under the Kerala State Transport Project, apparently with some politicians' blessings.
Moreover, building a civil station at the cost of the ancient court complex raises eyebrows. Built over 150 years ago, the court deals with cases from 66 villages registered in 11 police stations. Set up by the British, the building functioned as 'Valluvanad district munsiff court'. The majestic building with spiral staircases is still in good condition. It is not yet clear why the district administration insists on building the mini station by demolishing this structure.
Besides, the new civil supplies office building is also marked to be demolished.
The civil station planned in seven storeys will house 35 offices.
The employees will number around 800. Add to that thousands who come visiting for various reasons.
And once the civil station materialises, processions, dharnas and meetings are bound to be a regular feature. The town is just too small for such a huge (floating) population.
Besides, it militates against accepted practices elsewhere.
Talks on alternatives
A meeting of judges, the local MLA, PWD authorities and officebearers of the Ottapalam Bar Association was held to find an alternative.
It was suggested at the meeting that the five acres owned by the Irrigation Department at Kanniampuram near the Ottapalam–Kanniampuram highway was available and was ideal for setting up the station.