THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the curtains set to go up on the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) within four days, the condition of the roads leading to major theatres is enough to put the city to shame. For the regular delegates of the IFFK, the situation will be a repetition of last year. Just like the previous year, the authorities have woken up for a last-minute face-saving exercise. Work is progressing through day and night. But this time, it is unlikely that the desirable effect would be reached.
The road in front of the main venue, the Kairali-Sree Theatres, has been totally dug up for the drainage work of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA). The heavy rains in the past days have made matters worse. The task of removing mud from the road and trenches before tarring will be the biggest challenge before the authorities of the Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Limited (TRDCL), the concessionaire of the City Road Improvement Project (CRIP).
Last year, the TRDCL had spent around Rs 47 lakh for the temporary makeover of the roads. The roads were dug up again after the IFFK-2010 for the JICA-assisted water works and the KWA drainage works, which continued for another year.
The Kerala Road Fund Board has asked the KWA to stop the works till the IFFK ends. According to P Madhavan Pillai, project engineer of CRIP, one half of the road will be made motorable on a war-footing. “The works will be completed before the inauguration of the IFFK. The drainage works of the KWA will be stopped by Sunday night. One portion of the stretch will be made traffic worthy by December 9, provided there is no rain,” he said.
However, the situation was worse on the stretch even on Sunday. Though the authorities claimed to have restored them, the open trenches, water-filled potholes and mud-filled roads do not present a pretty picture.
Pedestrians Though most of the delegates would prefer walking to nearby festival venues, pedestrian safety has been given least regard by the authorities. The authorities have only agreed to make a portion of the road in front of the Kairali-Sree Theatres motorable. Not only the absence of a footpath, but also the presence of trenches, pits and uneven roadsides would make pedestrian travel a tedious task during the film festival.
All is not well for the theatres too. The road in front of the Sree Kumar-Sree Visakh theatres is heavily congested owing to the presence of the KSRTC bus bay. Also, the road in front of the theatres is in a dilapidated condition. The authorities are mum on these situations. The road works solely depend on the absence of rain.
Garbage may play villain
Barely five days are left for the mega treat for film buffs in the state. But, surprisingly, the City Corporation is yet to rise to the occasion to ensure a clean and hygienic environment for the participants of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). "Last year, Health officials of the Corporation had inspected all theatres included in the festival,’’ said a staff of the Kalabhavan Theatre. ‘’But this year, no such inspections have been carried out till now,’’ he said.
The festival films will be screened at ten theatres in the city besides the Nishagandhi auditorium, where the opening and closing ceremonies will be held on December 9 and 16 respectively. They include Kalabhavan, Kairali, Sree, Sree Padmanabha, Ajantha, New, Remya, Dhanya, Sree Kumar and Sree Visakh. In these theatres, the waste generated almost doubles during the festivals days. Kairali Theatre suffers the most as a special canteen is also opened during the festival time there. The officials of the Kairali Theatre said that the Corporation officials were yet to visit the theatre to review the arrangements.
"Last year, the Corporation officials conducted cleaning drives in all the participating theatres of the festival well in advance. The officials also inspected the theatre hall and toilets and gave us instructions,’’ said a staff of Kairali Theatre.
Corporation Health Standing Committee chairperson Pushpalatha said that they would hold a meeting in his regard soon. "Last year, we had held a meeting to chart out the preparations for the film festival. This year too we will hold a meeting and review the arrangements," she said. "But, we are yet to decide on the date of the meeting,’’ Pushpalatha added.
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