“Slum development is definitely the priority here. Various funds including the division fund, KSUDP and People’s Planning programme have been used to improve the basic amenities including providing drinking water and sanitation,” says Mattanchery councillor T K Ashraf. He says that the general fund from the Corporation has been utilised to build a community hall, cultural centre and computer centre. Funds from the People’s Planning programme was also utilised for the development of roads. “Potable water shortage was solved to some extent, thanks to the Koovappadam drinking water project,” he said. Ashraf is confident that the introduction of two new boats this week will improve the water transport facilities to the area. Despite all these, residents say that Mattanchery is still a division that is desperately in need of development.

“Though the spice godowns in the area contribute significant revenue to the state exchequer, development of even basic facilities eludes the area. With tourism hotspots like the Jew Town being part of the division, work should be carried out to improve the conditions of the roads, transportation and sanitation facilities,” say residents. Water shortage is another problem faced by the residents. The thickly populated multi-storey slums in the area seek urgent attention. The old buildings need to be renovated or rebuilt.

Introduction of more boats to the area will help Mattanchery in improving its transportation facilities and will offer better connectivity  with the city.

For the residents of southern sectors, the wait for a food street seems to be getting longer by the day. Even as the foundation for the food street in Sector 48 was laid in December last year, construction on the site is yet to start.

The Corporation has floated tenders for construction work a number of times, but without much success as the response to the tenders has been anything, but encouraging. The Food Street was proposed in the sector keeping in view the density of population with a large number of residential societies, coupled with the lack of such facilities available in the southern sectors.

Besides the foundation stone at the site, there is nothing else to show for construction. Work on the food street had earlier been delayed as the designs for the same had not been approved. Once the designs were approved, the civic body started the process of e-tendering, following which the which floating of tenders were delayed.

Chief Engineer S S Bidda, meanwhile, said the tenders have been reinvited and the response would be gauged in the coming few days. “At times, it does happen that positive response is not received the first time a tender is floated. We are hopeful that work on the site would start soon,” said the chief engineer.

The civic body had proposed food streets at three places in the city after the Night Food Street near PGI received a positive response from residents.  Even as work was to start in Sector 48 first, there was delay for several months after the foundation stone was laid.

The delay in the construction of the Night Food Street, say sources, was due to the wrong policies of the Municipal Corporation. The policies of the civic body have, however, been revised now. The proposed food street would be open throughout the day. Modifications have been made in the designs for the upcoming food streets, which would make it different from the existing Night Food Street near the PGI, it is learnt.