Snubbed PWD minister leads protest roadshow

Kozhikode: LDF leaders held a parallel inauguration of Thalappady-Chengala section of NH 66 and staged a symbolic protest with a roadshow on the Ramanattukara-Vengalam stretch on Wednesday against the exclusion of PWD minister P A Mohamed Riyas from the event attended by PM Narendra Modi in Kochi. Uduma MLA C H Kunhambu led the symbolic inauguration at Nullipady in Kasaragod shortly before the PM inaugurated the highway projects in Kochi.Later, Riyas, MLAs Thottathil Raveendran, Ahmed Devarkovil and CPM district secretary M A Mehaboob led a protest roadshow on the same stretch around 12.30pm. They travelled in an open jeep while scores of CPM activists followed on two-wheelers.Riyas told reporters that the roadshow was not meant to be a parallel inauguration but a symbolic protest. He said the failure to invite the PWD minister for NH-66 inauguration insulted Kerala. Riyas said the issue was not about inviting a minister but about the state's right to be represented at such events. "In all previous NH inaugurations the PWD minister was present. That is natural," he said.He questioned the presence of BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar at the event. "If politicians are being invited, then leaders of Congress, CPM and CPI should have been invited," he said, adding that such practices raise questions about democratic norms.Riyas said if the intention was to suggest that LDF govt had no role in the development of NH-66, the people of Kerala know the reality. He said Kerala had spent Rs 5,600 crore on NH development and the project became possible due to state govt's repeated interventions.The six-laning of Thalappady-Chengala section cost over Rs 2,650 crore. It is part of Mumbai-Kanyakumari Economic Corridor and will strengthen connectivity between Kasaragod Kannur and neighbouring regions, including Mangaluru and Muzhappilangad. The six-laning of Kozhikode Bypass from Vengalam to Ramanattukara cost Rs 2,140 crore and is expected to reduce congestion improve traffic capacity and enhance road safety.