Last-minute face-saving exercise a success

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Limited (TRDCL) and Public Works Department (PWD) have kept their word.  On the eve of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), both the Departments completed the works of a portion of road in front of the main venue - Kairali- Sree theatre. In a work which progressed on a war-footing, a portion of the road has been made motorable. Just four days ago, the road was totally dug up for Kerala Water Authority’s drainage works. When the TRDCL objected to renovating the stretch from Horizon hotel to Thampanoor, PWD was roped in, to do the work. The TRDCL completed the other portion of work. Last year, the TRDCL had claimed  Rs 47 lakh for the temporary makeover of the stretch. Though TRDCL was assigned to do the upgradation of the stretch, the work lagged due to the JICA-assisted water works and KWA’s drainage works. However, the then PWD Minister M Vijayakumar had asked the TRDCL authorities to do a temporary makeover of the works just ahead of the previous IFFK too.  This year too, the condition of road was so pathetic and the authorities went ahead with the same last minute face-saving exercise.   Though hurdles were cleared for the motorists, pedestrian safety has been given least regard. Accumulation of gravel and other equipment for road maintenance and parking are creating enough trouble for the delegates.