THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Road works in connection with this year’s Attukal Pongala will be completed by March 4, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Tuesday.
He was addressing a review meeting on the Pongala arrangements. The Pongala festivities begin on February 28, the Mahotsavam is on March 7 and the festivities would close on March 8.
On Tuesday, the State Government had issued orders for releasing Rs 12 crore for undertaking urgent development activities ahead of the Pongala (See box for break-up on funding). Of this, Rs 6 crore has been earmarked for road works.
PWD officials said at the meeting that tenders had been awarded for works worth Rs 3 crore. The works number 46 in all, and ten have been launched. Parallely, road projects under the plan fund schemes are also on. Of the 40 works in this list, 27 have been completed.
‘’Coordination among various agencies is essential for the smooth conduct of the festival. There is no paucity of funds, though I admit there is a shortage of time,’’ Chandy said. He said the activities of various departments will be closely monitored. A meeting will be convened by Transport Minister V S Sivakumar and V Sivankutty MLA after the festival to evaluate the performance of each agency. KSEB officials said 1,800 tubelights will be installed within one week in the temple region.
The Chief Minister asked the KWA to ensure sufficient supply of water. The Railways has proposed the setting up of special ticket and enquiry counters.
KSRTC officials said that they were planning additional trips during the Pongala Day.