A blot on the cityscape

KOCHI: The workshop of  the Small Industry Development Corporation’s (SIDCO) auto engineering in Pachalam is turning into a haven for  anti-social activities. The workshop which has been closed for more than 15 years wears a shabby look with wilderness around.  Stray animals also take shelter in it. Bike accidents are quite common in front of the building as dogs barge into the road at night. The people in the area say that they have noticed illegal activities going on at the place.  After some people lodged complaints, the police arrested a few people for gambling inside the building a couple of months ago. A watchman has been assigned to look after the building but he skips night duty very often. A resident of the area said that he has seen women walking into the building even in the presence of the watchman.  On knowing this the members of Metro Development Committee warned the watchman. The committee gets information about the activities but does not have evidence to register a complaint. The building is also a nuisance for the neighbours. The St Joseph’s High School suffers the most. The students have to bear the foul smell of decaying fruit and leaves coming from the compound. “The odour is unbearable. It is very difficult to take classes and students have to sit here the whole day,” said the principal of the school. The place is ridden with snakes. “A poisonous snake was killed recently when children saw it while playing in the corridor during the break,” said the principal.   There are plans to set up a petrol bunk in the place. “The Indian Oil Corporation staff came to see the site and made enquiries,” said Sunil, a shopkeeper nearby. When contacted, the SIDCO authorities said they had plans to set up the bunk. “There is also a plan to set up a furniture showroom,” said Dharmarajan, Ernakulam assistant general manager of SIDCO. Nothing has been finalised yet. The Indian Oil Corporation and other petroleum companies have come forward to take the petrol bunk on lease, he said. The local people are hoping that the bunk would be set up soon.