Payyanakkal cut off from Kozhikode.

With the work on the approach road to the Kothi bridge yet to be completed and the Panniyankara level crossing closed for the construction of a railway overbridge, the Payyanakkal ward in the Kozhikode Corporation has been completely isolated from the rest of the city.

Very often, a VIP would visit the bridge and assure the public that the work on the approach road would be completed immediately. But other than uprooting a few coconut trees, nothing has happened since the last VIP visit, which was two months ago.

As for the Panniyankara level crossing, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation that had taken up the work on the overbridge had insisted that the local body ensure alternative arrangements for commuters. But nothing has been done. With the two exit ways to the city blocked, the only way out for the residents of Payyanakkal is the Chakkumkadavu- Meenchantha Road, which is in a dilapidated condition. The Minister for Public Works, V.K. Ebrahim Kunju, had visited the place 10 months ago and had announced a project to renovate the road at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crore. The project still remains on paper.

THE HINDU