KMRL's Aluva beautification project on the rocks.

The ₹8-crore beautification project of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) on the nearly 2-km stretch between Aluva and Pulinchodu along the metro corridor has remained stalled for months reportedly due to opposition from a section of traders.

The tiles and concrete bollards put up alongside the Aluva market as part of the beautification project were found dismantled recently. Walkways, chairs, and cycle track are among the facilities planned under the initiative on the lines of the project executed by KMRL at Panampilly Nagar.

Four councillors, cutting across party affiliations, on Thursday staged a protest near the Aluva metro station by rolling on their back, demanding the immediate intervention of the municipal authorities and the MLA to resolve the stalemate.

“A nexus between political leaders and traders to protect their vested interests has torpedoed the project. The execution of the project will require the eviction of illegal vendors along the route. Despite raising the matter in two councils, the municipal authorities have done little to ensure the progress of the project,” said Seby V. Bastin, an independent councillor.

A.C. Santhosh Kumar of the BJP; K.V. Sarala of the Congress, and K. Jayakumar, an Independent, were the other three councillors who participated in the protest.

Meanwhile, Aluva municipal chairperson Lissy Abraham said a conference of stakeholders, including representatives of KMRL and Action Council for Development of Aluva, and traders, would be held on Friday to thrash out differences. She claimed that KMRL was convinced of the need for a slight change in drawing in keeping with the traders’ complaints.

However, Haneefa Njaralakkadan, general convenor of the Action Council for Development of Aluva, alleged that traders had demanded changes in the beautification project with the ulterior motive of encroaching on the land on which the project was proposed. The council also petitioned the Chief Minister, District Collector, National Highways Authority of India, Aluva municipality, and the MLA against attempts to sabotage the project.

Naseer Babu, president of Aluva Merchants’ Association, said the project was planned in such a way that it affected traders along the stretch, as vehicles would have no access to shops. He also alleged favouritism to accommodate some traders. He claimed that the KMRL authorities had inspected the site and were convinced of their grievance.

THE HINDU