Amid the expectations that the long-delayed Kottayam Science City at Kozha in Kuravilangad is finally nearing completion, a tug-of-war has erupted between rival factions of the Kerala Congress over the project.
With just a week left till May 11–the date announced by Kerala Congress (M) chairman and Rajya Sabha member Jose K. Mani for the formal inauguration of the Science City, a delegation from the rival Kerala Congress faction visited the site on Monday, demanding clarity on the project’s actual readiness.
The delegation, led by K. Francis George, MP, and Kuravilangad MLA Mons Joseph, reported that all offices at the project site remained closed during their visit. They subsequently contacted the officials in charge via phone and sought an explanation for their absence from the premises.
Calling for transparency, the delegation also urged the State government to take immediate steps to complete the remaining construction work within a clearly defined timeline.
Commenting on the issue, Mr.Joseph, who is also the executive chairman of the Kerala Congress, said the government had consistently failed to meet the deadlines it set for the project’s inauguration. While Higher Education Minister R. Bindu had informed the Assembly that it would be inaugurated on January 1, Mr. Mani later announced that the event would instead take place on May 11. Following her subsequent visit to the site, the Minister has again stated that the launch would happen before the end of May.
“Given these repeated announcements and the continued inability to implement them, the government is obliged to clear the air and resolve the prevailing uncertainty,” said Mr. Joseph.
He further highlighted that the project was initiated in 2014 under the UDF government led by the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy during the UPA regime at the Centre.
“The Science City was originally intended to be completed within five years. But even after 11 years, it remains closed to the public. Even if the ongoing construction is completed, only the first phase will be ready. The second phase could take several more years,” he added.
Official sources, meanwhile, attributed the latest developments to the ongoing fight between the Kerala Congress factions. “ The Science City, a first of its kind project in South India, is located in Kuravilangad –a stronghold of Kerala Congress politics that is currently represented by the Joseph group. Both factions are working hard to ensure that the credit doesn’t go to their rival,” said a senior party leader.
Earlier in April, Mr.Mani had visited the project site here and held a review meeting and announced that the project would be opened on May 11
Published – May 05, 2025 07:04 pm IST
