‘There are no roads in Kottayam, just potholes’ say the public. The situation is such that one cannot even walk there, leave alone driving. Have you seen the condition of the road? Don’t any of you travel this way? Why isn’t anything being done? When will the state of the roads improve? Given below are the responses of the people’s representatives including ministers from Kottayam district when Manorama approached them with these three questions. The people of Kottayam wait with hope to see these assurances becoming a reality soon.

More money will be allocated

K.M. Mani (Finance Minister)

Sufficient funds have been allocated in the budget for renovation and maintenance of roads. There are no issues in sanctioning more funds either. The main roads of Pala are of top quality. The damaged ones among rural roads will soon be made transportable.

Roads will be repaired soon

Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan (Transport Minister)

I have held discussion with the Public Works officials. I have given assurance that emergency steps will be taken to repair damaged roads. We will prepare a plan to completely renovate the roads after talking to the Public Works Minister.

Will talk to the Government

Jose K. Mani

I will consult the state governments and take initiative for maintenance of roads. Rough weather in the form of torrential rain is often the culprit when it comes to destruction of roads. What we need is a project to build roads of excellent quality.

There aren’t many potholes in Poonjar

P.C. George (Poonjar)

Bad condition roads are a rarity in Poonjar assembly constituency. Steps will be taken to immediately plug the holes. As the rains subside, roads including rural ones will be again tarred.

Fund sanctioned in Changanassery

C.F. Thomas (Changanassery)

Fund has been allocated for the renovation of the main roads in Changanassery. Funds are also sanctioned for the roads leading to Vazhoor and Kaviyoor. Renovation is almost over for the Kurishummood – Chethipuzha road. The state of the other roads will also become better with favorable weather.

Vaikom Road as soon as the rains abate

K. Ajith (Vaikom)

Vaikom – Kumarakom road will be repaired as soon as the rains abate. The contractors’ strike has adversely affected the maintenance work of the road. The government must take action to promptly pay them. Good quality in Kaduthuruthy

Mons Joseph (Kaduthuruthy)

All the main roads of Kaduthuruthy are in good shape. Renovation of the Pattithanam – Koothattukulam road has started. Maintenance done in many areas have come apart in the rains. These will be repaired too. The government should prepare a priority list and formulate a plan to renovate rural roads.

*National Highway will be repaired *

N. Jayaraj (Kanjirappally)

There is a big pothole in the National Highway. Many roads including ones in Chirakkadav panchayat have been damaged. A new tender will be invited and the needed done to get these repaired. We will exert pressure on the Public Works department to get the required funds sanctioned.

Coming soon to Etumanoor

K. Suresh Kurup (Etumanoor)

It has been decided to renovate the roads leading to Mannanam in connection to naming if after Father Chavara. Roads starting from the main one in Etumanoor lay damaged. Steps for its renovation will start soon. The old M.C Road will also be renovated.