District body seeks innovative, implementable schemes to speed up local works
The District Development Committee on Saturday directed department heads to prepare and submit practical, co‑ordinated project proposals that can be implemented without delay, as officials reviewed progress on infrastructure, heritage and welfare schemes across Kozhikode district. The meeting was chaired by District Collector M.S. Madhavikutty at the collectorate, reported The Hindu.
Committee members, including local MLAs and senior district officers, identified a cluster of stalled or slow-moving works that, they said, are directly affecting public services and daily life in several areas. The gathering examined funding utilisation under department programmes and the status of projects linked to the Nava Kerala Sadas initiative.
Local priorities and disputed timelines
Among the matters raised, Parakkal Abdulla, MLA, highlighted the delay in completing the Perincherikkadavu regulator‑cum‑bridge, work on which began in 2020. Abdulla warned that the prolonged schedule was permitting saline ingress into adjacent lowlands and could imperil the drinking water supply to the Vadakara region if not expedited, reported The Hindu.
He also urged acceleration of work on the Lokanarkavu museum and the Kuttiady bypass. K.K. Rema, MLA, drew attention to disruptions caused by National Highway construction in the Vadakara area, saying commuters were facing hardship due to the failure to repair damaged service roads. Rema sought urgent steps to resume works at Thazhe Angadi under the Thalassery Heritage Project and to complete them by mid‑October.
"The delay in completion of the regulator‑cum‑bridge is allowing saline water to enter nearby areas and could affect drinking water supply in the Vadakara region," the report quoted a member as saying.
Land transfers, title deeds and river safety under review
Fathima Thahiliya, MLA, requested the expedited distribution of title deeds in Nochad, Chakkittappara, Chembanoda and Changaroth villages in the Perambra assembly constituency. The committee also reviewed works to ensure the safety of families living along the altered course of the Kadantharapuzha, signalling concern for flood and erosion risks in affected stretches.
Officials discussed the procedural steps for handing over land belonging to the C.K.G. College to the Perambra taluk hospital, a transfer that will be subject to administrative clearances and documentation before operationalisation.
Decisions, follow‑ups and who attended
The meeting called for inter‑departmental co‑ordination to prevent further delays and to make better use of allocated funds. The administration sought concrete timelines for resumption and completion of the projects flagged by legislators.
- Action required: Submission of implementable project proposals by department heads.
- Priority works: Perincherikkadavu regulator‑cum‑bridge, Kuttiady bypass, Lokanarkavu museum, Thazhe Angadi restoration.
- Administrative follow‑up: Title deed distribution, land transfer for Perambra taluk hospital, river‑course safety measures.
Present at the meeting were Additional District Magistrate K. Shareena, District Planning Officer P.R. Rathnesh and heads of various government departments, reported The Hindu. The District Collector emphasised that proposals should be practical, ready for prompt execution and designed to maximise public benefit.
| Issue | Concern | Requested action |
|---|---|---|
| Perincherikkadavu regulator‑cum‑bridge | Delay; saline ingress affecting Vadakara water supply | Expedite completion |
| Kuttiady bypass | Pending construction | Accelerate works |
| Thazhe Angadi (Thalassery Heritage) | Work halted | Resume & complete by mid‑October |
| Title deed distribution | Backlog in four villages | Urgent completion |
The committee's push for actionable proposals comes amid heightened public scrutiny of project delays and fund utilisation across the district. Officials will be expected to furnish timelines and status reports at follow‑up meetings, and to coordinate with line departments to minimise disruption to residents while completing priority works.
As the administration presses for swift execution, local legislators have made clear they will monitor progress on water security, road repairs and heritage restoration that directly affect communities in Kozhikode district.
