THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Extensive plans have been made for ‘Feast of Christ the King’ to be conducted from November 14 to 23 at Madre de Deus Church, Vettucaud. At a meeting presided over by Health and Devaswom Minister V S Sivakumar at the parish hall of the church, several preparatory steps towards the feast were discussed.
PWD Roads branching from Veli to All Saints’ and Shangumugham will be repaired. The works on Corporation roads will be completed in a time-bound manner. The government will ensure electrification of the church premises and adjacent roads. Steps will be taken to replace defunct streetlights in the festival area. Kerala Water Authority will take necessary steps to ensure better drinking water facilities. City Corporation and the district administration will make interim water tanks available.
The services of Vettucaud Urban Health Centre, Valiya Veli CHC and Valiyathura Coastal Speciality Hospital will be made available 24 X 7. Around 300 policemen will be deployed in the area to reinforce security. Traffic Police will ensure flawless traffic control and will employ scientific regulation of vehicle parking. Lifeguards will be deployed. A standby Fire and Rescue Services unit will be kept ready. Additional bus service will be introduced to the area. The Corporation will organise a cleaning drive. Liquor will be banned in parish premises and adjacent areas.
The District Collector will take necessary steps for all trains to have stops at Kochuveli and Pettah on November 14, the first day of the festival, as well as the feast days from November 21 to 23. Thiruvananthapuram Tahsildar and Thiruvananthapuram Road Sub-division Assistant Executive Engineer were instructed to study the viability of renovating the approach road of Kochu Veli Railway Station and the setting up of a bus bay at Community Hall premises.
Mayor K Chandrika, District Collector Biju Prabhakar, Vettucaud parish vicar T Nicholas, councillor Latha Mangeshkar and officials from various departments participated in the meeting.