KOCHI: Even as talks of developing the island panchayat of Kadamakkudy make rounds in the upper echelons of the state government, the level of optimism among the local residents is scant.
On Monday, the government gave an administrative nod to widen the narrow roads leading to Kadamakkudy. These links are crucial in connecting the island to Kochi city. Until only a decade ago, these roads had been enough to cater to the vehicular traffic between the two regions.
That has since changed, and significantly.
Especially so, given how structures including the Valiya Kadamakkudy-Chathanad bridge now connect a series of islands to Kadamakkudy, making it a collection point of sorts for vehicles before they take the narrow roads into the city.
Vypeen MLA K N Unnikrishnan, in whose purview Kadamakkudy falls, said as much. “The government decision comes in anticipation of increased traffic in the region, especially given that the Valiya Kadamakkudy-Chathanad bridge will soon be opened to vehicles,” he said.
To ease congestion, key roads in the region will be widened to nine metres. The Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) has been authorised to acquire the necessary land, read a statement from the government.
In the first phase, widening works will be taken up on a 550-metre stretch at Pizhala, the Chariyamthuruthu Ferry-Puthussery D’Souza Road, Kadamakkudy South Road and Kadamakkudy North Road.
For this, land acquisition of 27.69 acres, 30.92 acres, 61.84 acres and 17.37 acres is needed, respectively. An amount of `10 crore has been earmarked for the development of each of these roads by GIDA.
Kadamakkudy panchayat president M S Antony said, “Road reconstruction is essential to facilitate smoother travel in the region, and via the Mulampilly-Pizhala bridge, which was built by GIDA in 2000.”
The MLA also pointed out that “the works are necessary for the commencement of the `43-crore Pizhala-Kadamakkudy bridge project being implemented with KIIFB funding.” Landowners willing to surrender land for the project must submit their consent letters before the district collector, he added.
Even as the news invokes some optimism, past results do not buoy it for long.
Indeed, Kadamakkudy residents flagged prolonged delays in implementing a series of announced infrastructure and tourism projects in the island panchayat.
“While multiple proposals, DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) and funding assurances were made in recent years, tangible progress on the ground has been limited,” Antony said.
Among the concerns raised are the condition of internal roads, delays in bridge-related works, inadequate waste management systems and the absence of basic tourism amenities despite Kadamakkudy being projected as an eco-tourism destination.
Residents alleged that land acquisition hurdles, lack of inter-departmental coordination and failure to adhere to timelines have slowed execution of several projects on the island. Case in point is the delay in the electrification of street lights on Container Road, which TNIE had written extensively on.
What further compounds the matter is the fact that Kadamakkudy island is vulnerable to the elements as it is surrounded by backwaters, and the only accessibility remains the narrow roads. “Infrastructure gaps have heightened hardships for families still recovering economically from the 2018 floods, which had hit the region hard,” Antony said.
Local stakeholders have also urged officials to prioritise sustainable development that protects the fragile ecosystem while improving mobility and public services.