Ministers Shibu Baby John and Bindhu Krishna have directed all government departments to expedite and complete pre-monsoon preparedness works in a time-bound manner. Speaking at the District Development Committee meeting, the ministers emphasised that emergency safety and sanitation measures must be executed without delay to prevent rain-related disasters.

At the meeting, Minister Shibu Baby John said that pruning or felling dangerous trees is the primary responsibility of local self-government institutions. To ensure technical precision, he suggested that local bodies carry out these operations in collaboration with the Forest department and the Social Forestry wing, prioritising trees located within school campuses. The Minister also directed local bodies to clear clogged drains within panchayat limits, while instructing the Public Works department to meticulously finish the ongoing cleaning of major roads.

Addressing the persistent waterlogging caused by the ongoing National Highway construction, the District Collector, who chaired the meeting, said that local tehsildars have been instructed to take immediate remedial action. To resolve the severe traffic congestion at Kallumthazham resulting from the highway works, special traffic regulations will be implemented for commercial vehicles. These vehicles will be restricted during peak hours, specifically from 8.30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.. Additionally, the locations of certain bus stops will be rearranged to ease the traffic flow.

Onus on public welfare

Minister Bindhu Krishna reminded officials that the government’s core focus is on public welfare and that grievances must be resolved without administrative delays. She said that the government is considering the construction of a new building for the Kollam KSRTC bus stand and assured that the expansion of the district hospital would be completed within a strict timeframe.

Several legislators raised pressing constituency-level issues during the meeting. M.M. Naseer MLA demanded the deployment of adequate staff and better infrastructure at the Kadakkal taluk hospital. Meanwhile, B.B. Gopakumar MLA urged the National Highways Authority of India to take immediate steps to prevent rainwater from flooding houses along the highway in Chathannur and Mylakkad areas.

Fast-tracking of construction at the district hospital, the immediate provisioning of an ambulance for the Thrikkovilvattam Primary Health Centre, steps to curb escalating wildlife attacks in the Pathanapuram constituency and the activation of the high-mast light at the Kundara taluk hospital were other issues discussed.