Rashid Ullamppilly, the newly appointed chairperson of Thrikkakara municipality, has set out a focused agenda aimed at accelerating local development with a clear “people first” approach. Rather than pursuing a scattergun of schemes, Mr Ullamppilly said the municipality will concentrate on ten specific goals to be achieved within the first year, prioritising service delivery and revenue measures that encourage residents to spend locally.
Thrikkakara development targets for year one
At the top of the list are improvements to waste management and reliable water supply, followed by measures to control the stray dog population and promote sustainable urban development. Mr Ullamppilly told officials and residents that the administration intends to deliver visible improvements quickly by streamlining projects around the ten priorities.
“The idea is to focus on ten key goals and ensure they are met,” he said. “We need to ensure enough revenue is generated by changing consumer habits. A large section of residents currently spend their money elsewhere. To bring this money back, we have to provide good services.”
One of the administration’s early commitments is a plan to remodel the private bus stand and develop a mall to offer a mix of entertainment, food outlets and public amenities such as an open gym. The intention is to create a service hub that keeps commerce local and raises municipal receipts without burdening residents with higher taxes.
Water supply remains a pressing concern. The previous council launched a mini drinking water scheme that pumps water from wells constructed by the municipality directly to households, supplementing supply from the Kerala Water Authority (KWA). The scheme was introduced as KWA supplies are available on alternate days and do not fully meet demand. More than 30 wards already benefit and the plan is to expand the arrangement across all wards to provide uninterrupted access.
On waste management, Mr Ullamppilly noted that the municipality produces around four tonnes of solid waste daily. Collection is currently contracted to an agency, but the council is assessing options once the Brahmapuram processing plant is fully operational. The municipality will either send material there for processing or establish its own treatment facility to manage waste locally and improve environmental outcomes.
Housing and social welfare also feature among the ten priorities. The municipality plans to construct housing for economically weaker sections, addressing local shelter needs while promoting inclusive growth. To tackle the stray dog issue, officials will implement the Animal Birth Control programme, a humane measure to manage the population while reducing public safety concerns.
Mr Ullamppilly emphasised that the administration’s approach is strategic and measurable. By focusing on a compact set of objectives and monitoring progress, the municipality hopes to deliver tangible benefits quickly and rebuild residents’ confidence in local services.
With a clear timetable and a people-centred outlook, Thrikkakara’s new leadership is seeking to combine practical infrastructure projects with social measures to foster sustainable and locally driven development.
Key Takeaways:
- Thrikkakara development plan focuses on ten priority goals in the first year, emphasising water, waste and sustainable urban growth.
- Mini drinking water scheme complements Kerala Water Authority supply to expand uninterrupted access across wards.
- Solid waste strategy includes processing at Brahmapuram or a local plant; four tonnes of waste generated daily.
- Plans to remodel the private bus stand, create a mall, build housing for economically weaker sections and implement Animal Birth Control for stray dogs.
