Kollam: Visionary leader T.K. Divakaran was the mastermind behind conceiving the Kollam bypass. It was his dream that has now been realised after 47 years. The idea was mooted when Divakaran was the PWD minister in the C. Achutha Menon ministry in 1972.
The first proposal was to build a road along Olayil, Thevally, and Vellayittambalam which was reviewed by Divakaran. A revised proposal of road along Mevaram, Kallum-thazham, Kadavoor and Kavanadu was approved by him that makes the current alignment of the road.
Born on November 8, 1920 at Pattathanam in Kollam, Divakaran was was one of the founder members of the Kerala Socialist Party (KSP). He later joined the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and worked with his patron N. Sreekantan Nair. He organised labourers and addressed their issues.
He was elected to the Assembly in 1952 and 1954. He also served as the municipal chairman of Kollam, central committee member of the Revolutionary Socialist Party and state president of U.T.U.C. Divakaran died while he was serving as PWD minister in 1976.
Divakaran had also planned a coastal road connecting Kollam and Kovalam through Varkala and a hill-side highway to Tamil Nadu along Agasthyakoodam.
