Thiruvananthapuram : Construction of the state govt’s flagship Space Park project at Technopark Phase IV has been stalled since June 23 over a dispute involving a damaged access road. K-Space CEO G Levin confirmed the standoff, saying the issue falls under a different department and needs state intervention.The project, aimed at boosting the space and aerospace sectors, is being implemented by the Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited (KSITIL) under K-Space. Residents and elected representatives say they do not oppose the Space Park itself, but insist construction should not resume until the damaged road is fixed. KSITIL officials said the project will resume soon, adding that Rs 16 crore will be spent on road work to address residents’ concerns.Work is currently underway on a two-lakh-square-foot Common Facility Centre and Research and Development Centre spread across 3.5 acres opposite the Digital University campus, near the service road connecting the National Highway, Karakkode and the CRPF camp. Space Park also owns an 11.2-acre parcel along the Karakkode-Kurumam-Edavilakam road, where boundary wall construction is underway. That land is earmarked for future industrial buildings to be leased to space-sector companies.The dispute centres on the Karakkode-Edavilakam road leading to the second parcel. Of its 2.5km, an 800-metre stretch at the start has deteriorated badly, while the rest was tarred earlier. Residents allege that tipper lorries carrying soil for the boundary wall construction damaged the road.Nearly 1,000 people use the road daily, including school buses and commuters travelling to Murukkumpuzha and Chirayinkeezhu, residents said. During the monsoon, the damaged stretch becomes almost impassable, causing hardship to nearby families. Since most surrounding land, barring residential plots, has been acquired for Technocity projects, residents argue the agencies implementing the Space Park should restore the road.Residents have also alleged encroachment on a road beside the Common Facility Centre, saying its width has been reduced at several points, and that a canal was filled during construction, raising flood risk in the area.Levin said the road falls under the local self govt department (LSGD) and requires state intervention. “The road comes under the LSGD. The govt should come forward to resolve the crisis so that this strategically important project can move ahead. Construction work at the Space Park has stalled since June 23 because of the dispute,” he said.Mangalapuram grama panchayat Karakkode ward member Mansoor Aboobacker said the panchayat backs the project but wants residents’ concerns addressed. “We want a solution that protects public interest while ensuring the project progresses without further delay. Discussions are continuing with all stakeholders,” he said.Former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan laid the foundation stone for the Rs 250 crore Space Park in June last year. The first phase, targeted for completion in two years, is expected to create more than 6,000 jobs and provide infrastructure for space-sector startups and companies.
