MLAs lobby for monorail in their constituencies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It’s still ‘running’ on paper, but that’s not preventing anybody from trying to hitch a ride on it. MLAs in the district have started lobbying to get their constituencies included in the proposed monorail project. Although the original plan was to link Balaramapuram and Kazhakkoottam, petitions are flowing in seeking links to places like Attingal, Parassala, Neyyattinkara and Kallambalam. On Wednesday, Attingal MLA B Sathyan moved a submission in the Assembly urging the government to think about including the burgeoning township too in the plan. ‘’It will reduce traffic congestion in the area, for one,’’ he said. ‘’It’s just a matter of four-five kilometres more.’’ Responding to the request, Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed, who handles the railway portfolio, explained that the original plan included spanning 28 kilometres from Balaramapuram to Kazhakkoottam. But Attingal was also under consideration, he said.  ‘’But then, Varkala Kahar MLA says the monorail should be extended up to Varkala. There are also petitions seeking extensions till Neyyattinkara,’’ he said. Government sources said A T George MLA has requested that Parassala too be included, while Attingal MP A Sampath is batting for Kallambalam, which lies beyond Attingal. The monorail project for Thiruvananthapuram is one of two such proposals before the government, the other one proposed for Kozhikode. NATPAC has been asked to conduct a feasibility study and a report is expected within two months. Another proposal, this from the official circles, is to extend the rail up to the proposed Technocity at Mangalapuram in the district. The advantage being land is readily available for setting up a yard for the monorail.