Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) State unit secretary A.A. Azeez, MLA, has called for a more practical approach to address the issue of Chinnakada underpass.
The approach road from the Chinnakada side was demolished to facilitate the construction of an underpass. While the underpass has been constructed and opened for traffic, the approach road reconstruction to the overbridge across the railway tracks is underway.
The views expressed by Mr, Azeez on the issue came as an unexpected support to the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-ruled city Corporation which is facing flak from various sections, including the District Congress Committee (DCC), various organisations of traders, and forum of citizens.
Mr. Azeez said the approach road construction was nearing completion and demolishing it at such a stage would mean bringing the city’s commercial hub to a standstill for an indefinite period which can even run into a couple of years.
“There is no need to demolish the construction of the approach road which is nearing completion. Some alterations on alignment are needed and these have to be discussed with the experts concerned and altered accordingly,’’ Mr. Azeez said. The issue was getting unnecessarily politicised, he said.
Meanwhile, the district unit of Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) said traders in the city would down shutters on February 16 and observe a hartal to protest against the approach road construction.
Chairman of the KVVES K. Ramabhadran said that going ahead with the construction in the existing manner would only serve to ruin the traditional commercial hub of Chinnakada. He said that even as there was widespread protest against the construction, the civic authorities were going ahead with the project.
