THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prasanth P. Kumar, a government contractor who was awarded the Rs 25 lakh drain work at Sabarimala, was pleasantly surprised when local traders were happy to realize he was the one who had taken the contract. The reason was not far to seek because the same Prasanth, a post graduate in engineering and management, had completed the Pandalam Bridge on MC Road in a record 147 days ahead of schedule. Not only that, out of the Rs 4.2 crore estimate, he saved Rs 85 lakh which is now being utilized to beautify the Pandalam bridge and its adjoining areas which were sanctioned by the Public Works Department minister G. Sudhakaran.
The 33-year-old Prasanth never wanted to follow his late father, K. Prasanna Kumar's footsteps of being a contractor. But due to his untimely demise in 2011 at the age of 54, there was a liability of Rs 4 crore which fell on Prasanth who was then 27 years old. Mr Prasanth told DC that successive governments owed him several crores for the work his father had completed. Mr Prasanth is keen on cutting through the red tape, and is hoping that the existing "system" undergoes a change. Like any other Government contractor, Prasanth also rues the inordinate delay in the paper work, despite the e-tendering process in PWD. "Out of 30 days, I run around for 20 days to complete the paper work which is a real bane. However, ever since the Left Government came to power there has been significant change in the top echelons of the PWD where corruption has almost disappeared", said Mr Prasanth to DC.
Built at a cost of Rs 4.26 core, Prasanth completed the 19 metre -long and 14 metre- wide Pandalam Bridge 45 days ahead of schedule. The 60 plus-old bridge was in a dilapidated condition and it was crucial for the thousands of Sabarimala pilgrims due to the proximity of Pandalam Valiyakoickal temple. This was the fifth major contract Prasanth had undertaken - the previous works being Nabard's Nellikuzhy - Paruthikuzhy bridge in Thiruvananthapuram (Rs 2.2 crore), Vellanad bridge in Thiruvananthapuram (Rs 5.89 crore), Adoor Puthenveetil Bridge (Rs 40 lakh) and the retaining wall of Vakayar - Vallicode road at Konni (Rs 1.47 crore). With adulation coming from all quarters on completing the contract works ahead of schedule, Prasanth is a contented man and is happy to give the credit to his team of 70 labourers. Prasanth's mother, Syamala Devi and biotechnologist wife Parvathi M. Menon are also basking in the glory coming his way that include PWD minister G. Sudhakaran congratulating him.
