Political will urged for realising development projects

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 10. Experts today deplored the lack of political will for ensuring that development works, once undertaken, were completed within a specific time schedule.

Participating in a seminar on inadequate infrastructure organised jointly by the district unit of the Kerala State Small Industries Association and the Department of Industries and Commerce, the speakers cited recent instances where projects were abruptly brought to a standstill due to local opposition.

It was also noted that no political party had taken the initiative to allay the unwarranted fears of the locals regarding the impact of these projects on their lives.

Mr. M. N. Prasad, former chairman, Railway Board, said that contrary to popular notion, railway development in Kerala had been quite substantial. Between 1956 and 1999, the route length of railway in the State had increased by 41 per cent and the running track length by 84 per cent whereas the corresponding figures for the whole country were only 14 per cent and 32 per cent respectively.

According to Mr. Prasad, even with regard to train services, the State now had long haul services connecting to 16 destinations in the country.

Mr. Prasad observed that the doubling of the line between Kayamkulam and Thiruvananthapuram and between Shoranur and Mangalore had been delayed for far too long. The delays that hit both projects are solely attributable to the overriding priority attached to guage conversion.

The former Railway Board chairman advocated the "Greater Bombay model" in planning further development of transport infrastructure in the State, especially considering the geographical similarities of both places. Under the concept, the north-south routes, both rail and road, required strengthening to form the backbone of a composite transport system with the rest of the road network developed to serve as feeders.

Dr. Elangovan, Director, NATPAC, pointed out that the Varkala Tunnel remained a major bottleneck in interlinking inland waterways in the State. According to him, the development of a national waterway was in progress with the study relating to extension up to Kovalam and towards Kasaragod completed. However, commencement of work was pending Central Government declaration.

Earlier, Mr. B. Vijayakumar, MLA, inaugurated the programme. Ms. Lida Jacob, Government Secretary, was also present.

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