Technopark insulated against polls

Oct 14

While the local body elections are being widely discussed in every nook and corner of the city, nearly 30,000 people in the state capital seem to be insulated from the election heat. It appears that the candidates also are least concerned about this section who make valuable contributions to the state's economy.

Technopark, the first IT park in the country, that employs nearly 30,000 techies is nowhere in the election picture, especially because only a meagre section of the techies are voters of the wards in the which Technopark falls. Poll trends, merits or demerits of political parties or candidates or other poll-related issues are not being discussed in the premises, except a few.

What is surprising to note is that many of the candidates from the locality are also unaware of the issues being faced by techies, ranging from lack of streetlights to garbage dumping.

“I am unaware of any issues pertaining to Technopark,” was the instant reply of Lathika Dayanandan, BJP candidate in Attippra ward where a major portion of Technopark is located. “I was a native of Ulloor and came down to this place after marriage,” she justified.

Though Kazhakuttum got a place in the world IT map thanks to Technopark, the CPM candidate representing Kazhakuttum has literarily ignored Technopark. “Technopark did not come within the limits of my ward. You may better contact my counter part in Attipra ward,” M.Kala, the CPM candidate from Kazhakuttum, came up with her instant reply.

The UDF candidate in Kazhakuttum R.Sreerekha also said that there were no major issues pertaining to Technopark.

The techies can heave a sigh of relief as at least the BJP candidate from Kazhakuttum, K.Malini, is quite aware of the issues affecting them. “Technopark is facing various issues like garbage problem, stray dogs and streetlights. I will initiate steps to sort out these issues,” she said.

Sangeetha, the LDF candidate in Attipra and Suraja Kumari, the UDF candidate, also said that they would look into the issues faced by Technopark and try to find solutions.

Technopark, however, lists out a number of issues. The Technopark Chief Executive Officer Mervin Alexander lists out a series of issue that are affecting the smooth life of techies. “ First of all, there is lack of proper lighting on the national highway. Since many of the companies are working round the clock, techies will have to travel during the odd hours. Hence improper lighting, as well as better policing, are long pending issues pertaining to the Technoapark,” he said.

“Waste disposal is another issue affecting Technopark, which the local bodies could come up with a solution,” he adds.

The techies also list out a series of issues including development of the nearby Kazhakuttum railway station, fleecing of techies by autorickshaws and taxis and lack of sufficient public amenities.