Kochi Corporation has resolved to closely monitor the functioning of its Edappally zonal office. This decision follows a spate of complaints regarding inefficiencies and delays in the office’s operations, which were raised during a recent Corporation Council meeting.
During the meeting, several councillors expressed strong dissatisfaction over the conduct of officials at the Edappally office, particularly highlighting the extended waiting times faced by citizens. Allegations were made that residents were often made to wait for hours, only to be asked to return the next day due to the unavailability of staff or unexplained delays. This perceived neglect has sparked considerable public discontent and prompted the Mayor to take immediate action. To ensure accountability and improve service delivery, the Mayor directed that senior officials rotate their duties to oversee the daily operations of the zonal office. A new monitoring schedule was set for September, with the secretary, additional secretary, joint secretary, and the revenue officer taking turns on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, respectively. The Deputy Mayor has been tasked with convening weekly reviews every Friday to assess the situation and report back to the Mayor.
Further compounding the office’s challenges, it was revealed that the revenue officer had applied for leave just as the financial year reached its midpoint. The Mayor criticised this timing, questioning the grounds on which the leave was granted. The Mayor has demanded a comprehensive report from the Secretary within two days, detailing the justification for the leave approval. In addition to addressing internal governance issues, the Council also discussed the need for a third roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) vessel to ensure the smooth functioning of the city’s water transport services. With spare parts for existing vessels needing to be imported, the Council has approached Kochi Metro Rail Limited to explore forming a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to manage the service effectively.
Meanwhile, a concerning incident involving the Vyttila councillor was also brought to light. The councillor reported receiving death threats after a dispute with a local hotel operator over the cleaning of drains in Vyttila. The Mayor has assured that a police complaint will be lodged to address the threat and ensure the councillor’s safety. These actions reflect the Kochi Corporation’s commitment to improving its services and addressing public grievances promptly, reinforcing its accountability to the citizens.
