THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Federation of Residents’ Associations in Nemom Sector (FRANS) and Karamana-Kaliyikkavila NH Action Council will observe a mass hunger strike on the Martyrs’ Day on January 30 in protest against the lethargy in the NH-widening works.
Gandhian P Gopinathan Nair will lead the strike, in which hundreds of FRANS members are expected to participate.
“Currently, the space of the footpath is being tarred to widen the road. There is no concern for pedestrian safety. Pedestrian accidents are already a common feature on this road. Removal of the footpath will aggravate the situation,” FRANS members said in a statement. FRANS requested the Government to intervene and stop the unscientific road works.
Meanwhile, the Karamana-Kaliyikkavila National Highway Action Council said that the State Government was the first accused in the recent deaths of the Athiyannoor Block Panchayat president and a member in a road accident. The Government’s reluctance in widening one of the busiest roads in the State has turned it into an accident zone.
Athiyannoor Block Panchayat president M Valsalam and member Joy J Victor died recently in an accident that took place in Neyyattinkara.
The Government must stop the unscientific construction of bus bays, the Action Council members said.
Action Council president A S Mohan Kumar presided over the function.
S K Jayakumar, R S Sasikumar, Mannankal Ramachandran, N Samkunju, S S Lalit and A M Hasan, among others, spoke at the meeting.