Kerala - Alappuzha

Demand for new district

ALAPPUZHA: The demand for a new Central Travancore district with Mavelikara as its headquarters is being raised once again.

The demand, which was not heard for the last seven years or so, was raised by the Thiruvananthapuram-based Janakeeya Samithi led by freedom-fighter K.E. Mammen and Mavelikara MLA M. Murali during a public function attended by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan at Mavelikara on Monday.

Mr. Murali, pointing out that the demand for a separate Central Travancore district centred around Mavelikara or Onattukara was a long-standing one, said it was because of constant pressure from himself, Mavelikara MP C.S. Sujatha and other leaders that Onattukara was included in the M.S. Swaminathan Commission’s package for Kuttanad. Onattukara, just like other areas in Kuttanad, deserved special attention as far its agricultural woes were concerned.

The region also required more attention from Railways, he said, requesting Mr. Achuthanandan to pressurise Railways to establish a Mavelikara-Punalur railway line.

The Janakeeya Samithi, on the other hand, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister citing the demand for the new district. Signed by Samithi director Ashok Alex Philip and general secretary Ani Varghese, the memorandum recalled that Mavelikara was the central hub pivotal to administrative affairs during the days of the Travancore monarchy.

Speaking to The Hindu, Samithi general secretary Ani Varghese said it could be carved out of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kollam comprising regions from Ambalapuzha up to Kayamkulam including Karthikapally, Pandalam, Mavelikara, Onattukara, upper Kuttanad regions and parts of Thiruvalla up to Karunagapally.

The Samithi said it would wait for a reply from Mr. Achuthanandan before launching an agitation for the district.

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