Chariyamthuruth cut off from development

KOCHI: The people of Chariyamthuruth island are a distressed lot. They are yet to see a proper road on their island which comes under the Kadamakkudy panchayat. The island, surrounded by Kadamakkudy, Pizhalla, Chenoor, Thundathumkadav, and Puthussery islands, has been isolated from development activities.Eight years ago a temporary road of six-metre width was built which connected the island to North Puthussery. At that time no proper tarring was done, the metal laid was not maintained and now it can’t be called a road anymore. It is not even fit for the pedestrians. Today when two-wheeler is a common form of transport,  in Chariyamthuruth island one can ride them at his or her own risk. In short  Chariyamthuruth island is cut off from development activities. In Chenoor, Thundathumkadav and Kadamakkudy islands the road transport is functioning well. KSRTC services are quite active there, but there is no road transport for the people in Chariyamthuruth. The only transport people depend on is boat. But the boat service is running at a loss as the people of other islands depend on bus service. Earlier, there were 16 boats plying from the island but now there are only three. It takes about 45 to 50 minutes to reach the nearest town, Varapuzha, by a ferry. If roads are constructed people can reach the town within 10 to 15 minutes by bus. “There is not even a kindergarten for children or a medical dispensary. As the roads are in a poor state, ambulances also don’t come during emergencies,” said George K A, convener, Senior Citizen Forum. Thousands of people of the island have to depend on ferry during emergency which often turns to be risky.The existing road was built using the MP and MLA funds but the work is yet to be completed. However, two months back ago Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) has taken up the matter in  meeting with the public and government authorities .  According to the new plan a proposal for a nine-metre road and a bridge connecting the three adjacent islands has been given to the government. “The proposals have been submitted to the government for land acquisition approval. As soon as we get the approval from the government and the Cabinet, land will be acquired for the road construction,” said a GIDA official.  However, the Senior Citizen Forum and Kochi Metro Janakiya Vikasana Samiti have given requests to the District Collector to speed up the matter. The islanders are eagerly waiting for the nod.