Padmanabhapuram eyes balanced growth in infrastructure and development

Padmanabhapuram eyes balanced growth in infrastructure and development

Padmanabhapuram, the constituency that houses two of the primary reservoirs of Kanniyakumari district-Pechiparai and Perunchani dams is ramping up for the forthcoming Assembly elections, with the residents hoping for a term marked by steady progress in constituency across various sectors such employment, improved healthcare accessibility and more.

The Padmanabhapuram town once served as the capital of erstwhile Travancore kingdom, before the capital moved to Thiruvananthapuram in the late 18th century. However, in the post-independence era, especially in the last two decades, the constituency had been a stronghold of DMK, as it has consistently elected its MLA from DMK for the constituency since 2006.

However, for the forthcoming Assembly election, the seat has been allotted to CPI(M), from which R. Chellaswamy is contesting against the BJP Candidate P. Ramesh. This is one of the two constituencies in Tamil Nadu, in which CPI(M) is directly facing the political opponents of completely two different spectrums.

One of the primary issues in the constituency, which the residents are expecting a clear solution, and which has become key point for the opposition parties, is the quarrying in the Chithirancode to Valiyattumugam stretch. This has caused irreversible damage to the green and lush region and has raised serious concern among the residents.

Residents feel that even though the number of operating quarries have declined, the movement of mineral-laden vehicles has not come under any control.

T. Sounder Raj, a CPI(M) member from Kulasekaram said that these crushing units have caused a significant amount of damage to the region, including pollution, health hazards and other associated damages.