Janakeeya bus service

‘Where there is a will, there is a way’.Yes, it was the will of the people in the hilly regions of Kannur to overcome the problems of transporation that has found a solution through the introduction of a people’s bus service. The fourth Janakeeya bus started operation recently in Vijayapuram.

The idea of janakeeya bus service was originated in the wake of hike in jeep fares. Also the hairpin curves made their journey more hazardous while traveling in jeeps. The reluctant attitude of KSRTC and private bus owners compelled the natives to find a solution to tide over this difficult situation.

People were ready to take up any challenge and they put forward the idea of a bus service “of the people, for the people, by the people”. With the active participation from every walks of life and the assistance of the priests of the parishes, the idea sprouted out. The alacrity of the native people to meet any difficult situation was the only supportive factor. Many families took shares to hire the bus. Banks also supported their initiative.

The first Janakeeya bus service was started in 1997. The services are aimed at the convenience of the people, not to make profits. A committee was formed to look into the matter of these cooperative bus services. The profit is being utilized for social activities and people’s welfare programs. A monitoring committee is convened every Friday to make an assessment of the activities.

People from different parts of Kerala come here to study the people’s bus service.

Micro hydel project

Pathanpara, a rustic village in Kannur district produces 40 kW of hydro electric power everyday to bring light to nearly hundred houses in the locality. The micro hydel project is owned and operated by the natives without any assistance from govt. agencies. “It all began with contributions from 37 families. They provided land and capital to build the power house”, say Anilkumar who initiated work for the people’s project. It look 45 days to completed the project. Medha Patkar commissioned it in 1997. Power is supplied to the customers in the mornings and evenings.

Kinfra textile centre at Nadukani

The Kinfra Textile Centre being built at Nadukani, near Taliparamba would generate employment for 10,000 people when commissioned in 2008. The construction is in progress, under the Textile Centre Infrastructure Development Scheme (TCIDS). The textile centre project is started with the central financial aid of Rs. 20 crores. The state govt. will invest Rs. 10 crores.

This scheme will provide pre-loom and post-loom facilities. One hundred and twenty five acres of land in Nadukani is being utilized for the construction of this textile centre. It will have wet processing centre, weaving centre, apparel park, small industries park and yarn storage facility.

The wet processing centre will have a capacity to process fifteen tonnes of yarn and seventy thousand meters of fabric, a day. It will be beneficial to the weavers in small-scale industry also. It will include five processing units and garment factories.

The water for the Textile centre will be available from the Kuppam River at Uttery. There will be water storage facilities also. A 33kv sub-station in that area will provide the electricity.

The construction of the textile Centre is expected to be completed within two years. There is also a plan to develop a green belt around the textile centre.