The Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu road widening project has been an issue during every election – be it Kozhikode Corporation, State Assembly or Lok Sabha. But, not this time.
The project for widening the 8-km stretch falling under the Kozhikode North Assembly segment in the Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency was a campaign issue initially. However, it was dropped as political issues took centre stage.
Discussion planned
But the Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu Road Action Committee now wants to keep the issue in focus. “We had planned a discussion, inviting the three main contestants to air their opinions. But, they were not willing as they were busy with their scheduled campaigning and election tours in seven Assembly segments of the constituency,” said action committee general secretary M.P. Vasudevan.
He said the action committee led by historian M.G.S. Narayanan would bring out a charter of demands to get the project going. “We will ask each political party to clarify their position on the issue rather than giving false promises,” he said.
Mr. Vasudevan said the the State government had recently issued an order sanctioning ₹100 crore as compensation for those who had handed over title deeds of their property for the project. However, the order was issued a day before the notification of the Lok Sabha elections and it was signed two days after. The Congress party had taken up the matter with the Election Commission, citing violation of model code of conduct, he said.