THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Months after he informed the Corporation Council about a vegetable shop that has been functioning in a full-fledged manner on an encroached land in Edapazhanji, Vazhuthacaud councillor K Sureshkumar is still awaiting action. On Tuesday, once again, he submitted a complaint to the Mayor and Corporation Secretary demanding action on the decision to evict the shop which was unanimously passed by the Council weeks back. ‘’The shop has been built on half-a-cent of land, but it has usurped more land from nearby. Toeing the Council decision, the Health Inspector in Jagathy served a notice on the shop owner. But the shop is still functioning in full steam. So, where do I as a councillor stand? And what is the importance of a Council decision?’’ he asks. This, however, is not a singular incident. Numerous councillors, irrespective of parties, would vouch that they are reduced to shame for pointing out encroachments and unauthorised constructions in their wards, for nothing ever comes out of it. Even after a gargantuan Council decides in favour of action. The Council decisions, with regard to unauthorised buildings and constructions, often remain on paper, with departments vying to pass the buck to the next one. Sample some cases: Ponnumangalam councillor M R Gopan had pointed out thrice in the Council about the encroachment on the nine acres of land in Pappanamcode ward which belongs to the government. According to the councillor, private parties have started construction to set up a cancer institute here, by destroying a sacred grove, a pond and around 300 trees. The Corporation issued a stop memo, but it was not strong enough to bring the constructions to a halt. Palkulangara councillor P Asok Kumar has made it a routine to point out to the Council the illegal constructions happening in the so-called-heritage zone in Fort area. According to him, a chips shop, two apparel shops and the building of a developers’ group - all coming up in the Fort area - are against law. In some cases, the Corporation has served notice, but who cares, he asks. A quick recap would bring forth many other cases that were discussed by the Council - the unauthorised construction by a shopping chain in Pazhavangadi, the encroachment of a builders group opposite Kowdiar palace, the wide-spread encroachment in the Killipalam bund road on the side of ‘Killiyar’, the land-filling of a canal in Sreelane, Kochar road, the illegal construction happening near the Sivasena office, Fort, the encroachment in Radhapura road which saw it being reduced from 21 m to just 8 m (according to councillors), the encroachment in and around Akkulam lake which was pointed out by councillor S Sureshkumar many a time in the Council, the way a private hospital in Anamugham has come in a water-catchment area, the numerous constructions around Beemapally, the plight of Thekenakara canal that now runs beyond a private residence...the list is endless. The Corporation, jumps into the scene, issues notice but sadly, no follow-up activities are carried out. ‘’Though unfortunate, it is true. There is a need to set up a special desk in the Corporation office to oversee that the Council decisions are carried out. Especially, with regard to the illegal constructions,’’ agrees Deputy Mayor G Happykumar. Another top official, however, points out the blockades. ‘’There are some steps to be followed while dealing with such cases, which might take some time. There is acute shortage of staff in local bodies to monitor these cases. The parties often move the Court and the matter remains pending for years. By that time, the party often completes the construction and a demolition is out of question,’’ he says. Does that mean the Corporation is destined to remain a mute witness to the sprouting illegal frames in the city? For years, it has been and by the look of it, there is no intention to change.
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