The Kozhikode Corporation is planning to approach the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) seeking a solution to waterlogging reported in some places under its jurisdiction where widening of National Highway 66 is in progress.
A submission for the purpose was placed at the Corporation council meeting by S. Jayasree, chairperson, standing committee on health, on Wednesday (May 28, 2025). She pointed out that people living in low-lying areas had been facing many problems in the wake of the heavy rain that had been lashing Kozhikode over the past few days. She said that the residents of Olavanna, Palazhi, and Malapparamba near the national highway were among the worst hit.
Opposition members such as K.C. Shobitha and K. Moideen Koya, however, claimed that the submission was not presented in the proper format, and that it had not mentioned the role of the Central and State governments in the construction of the highway. They alleged that the State government was equally responsible for the current situation. This led to some arguments between the ruling and Opposition members. Mr. Moideen Koya also said that the submission proposed by the United Democratic Front seeking steps to clear the cracks developed on the national highway was turned down.
Mayor Beena Philip, who chaired the meeting, said steps would be taken to address issues such as waterlogging near the national highway, and that the members could approach the Corporation with details. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways would be intimated about this, she added.
Meanwhile, Ms. Shobitha demanded that inspections by the State Electrical Inspectorate be made mandatory in all buildings owned by the Corporation in view of the recurring fire outbreaks in the city. She also suggested that the Corporation approach the State government seeking steps to strengthen the Fire and Rescue system in Kozhikode district. Ruling party member M.P. Suresh also raised similar demands.
Ms. Philip said the Corporation would ask the State government to give away 30 cents to set up a fire station near the Government Medical College Hospital. Fire hydrants would be installed in various parts of the city. A satellite fire station would be set up at the Palayam bus stand, she added.
The meeting also witnessed some tense moments when the Opposition members staged a protest over passing the items listed on the agenda. The Opposition members said since the items should not be passed without a discussion and the meeting should be concluded by 6 p.m., some of them could be deferred for another day. By 5.45 p.m., only around 140 of the 205 listed items could be discussed. The Opposition members also said that they would move out of the meeting after 6 p.m. However, Deputy Mayor C.P. Musafir Ahmed said that all the items could be passed without discussion in time. This led the Opposition members to stage the protest.
There were some apparent arguments between the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor as well. All the items were declared passed during the melee as the meeting concluded around 6.30 p.m.
Published – May 28, 2025 09:24 pm IST
