The pace at which the Pallichal panchayat is moving ahead with the conversion of a
natural pond into a swimming pool has mounted apprehension among the public, even as a
case is pending before the High Court. The panchayat authorities are alleged to be
gearing up the construction work in a move to complete it before any intervention crops
in.
A part for the pond near Vedivachancoil has now been filled with mud. The Authorities
are also drying up the remaining pond for furthering the construction. The authorities
are alleged to be moving ahead after the Jalasaya Samrakshana Samithi withdrew the
petition it had filed before the High Court and the Lokayuktha. However, another case
has now been filed before the High Court with respect to the pond.
The people in the area who preferred anonymity said that the latest pace with which the pond is being dried up and filled with mud shows that the authorities want to complete
the project fast believing that no interference can come once it is finished.
Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishath (KSSP), which has been voicing against the conversion
of the pond violating the existing laws, alleged that the panchayat are now undertaking
the work in a haste only to mislead the people and the court.
Though the Panchayat authorities claim to have undertaken a major part of the work, it
can be seen that only mud filling exercise has been done, former KSSP state secretary
and a native of Vedivachancoil said. Moreover, he also refuted the claim of the authorities that the pond is dry. ''One can see that the pond is now being dried up using pump for
further construction. Moreover water can also be seen at one end of the pond. All these
show that the authorities are spreading mere lies,'' he said.
Meanwhile, Kerala State Sports Council said that they were not aware of any new case
being filed with respect to the pond. When contacted, Council secretary P S Abdul
Rassak said that he was not aware of any new case filed with respect to the pond.
''I only have the information that case has been settled and construction work has started again,'' he said.
Source: The New Indian Express
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