Rs 100 crore to realise Arjun Santhosh's dream for Island
Special meetings were organised by the panchayat and the action council and bike rallies were held to celebrate.
ALAPPUZHA: If there is one village in Kerala that has rejoiced over the state budget, it has to be the island of Perumpalam in Alappuzha district. The budget has earmarked Rs 100 crore for building a bridge connecting the island of 12,000-plus residents, thus answering a struggle that has lasted over two decades.
Apparently, it was 14-year-old resident Arjun Santhosh’s protest mission starting June 1, to swim nearly 2.5Km daily to school, which was reported by this newspaper that influenced the state government’s decision to sanction the bridge.
“There is no doubt Arjun’s swim was the turning point,” said Perumpalam panchayat president K.S. Shibu. “Our struggle for a bridge had been going for over two decades.” He said the last LDF government had announced '10 crore announced for a bridge connecting Poothotta (opposite east-side of the island), but the funds were spend elsewhere.
“Still, there was only subdued protest,” he said. “It was the entry of Arjun that really got the whole island together.” The west-side land, opposite Perumpalam is Thrichattukulam, which is about nine kilometers from Aroor. The island has more than 2300 houses and over 7600 voters. It was a festive mood on the island following the budget allocation. Special meetings were organised by the panchayat and the action council and bike rallies were held to celebrate.
