Foundation Stone Laid for Cherppu-Urakam Smart Village Office Building

Thrissur: The foundation stone for the Cherppu-Urakam Smart Village office building was laid by Minister K. Rajan through an online ceremony. The Rs. 50 lakh project, funded by the State Government, aims to provide a dedicated space to coordinate the various development initiatives under the Smart Village programme in the area. The event was chaired by MLA C.C. Mukundan and attended by Block Panchayat President A.K. Radhakrishnan and Panchayat President Sujish Kalliyath, who also spoke at the occasion.

Launched in 2019, Kerala’s Smart Village initiative is to promote sustainable rural development by integrating modern infrastructure, digital technology, resource management, and community involvement. The programme is to transform villages into self-reliant, environmentally sustainable, and economically vibrant units by improving essential services such as water supply, sanitation, healthcare, education, and digital connectivity.

The Smart Village programme is a combined infrastructure upgrades with digital connectivity and sustainable resource management. This includes the establishment of high-speed internet access, digital kiosks, and e-governance platforms to improve public service delivery and communication.

In his address, Minister K. Rajan underscored the importance of decentralised governance in accelerating rural development.

The minister also highlighted the role of the new office building as a critical hub for monitoring projects and facilitating better coordination among government agencies and local residents.

MLA C.C. Mukundan, presiding over the event, called for active participation from the community to sustain the momentum.

Block Panchayat President A.K. Radhakrishnan noted the advances made in water management and digital literacy in Cherppu-Urakam, adding that the new office would streamline efforts to expand these projects further, ensuring equitable access to resources.

Panchayat President Sujish Kalliyath emphasised the need for inclusive development, stating, “Our aim is to leave no one behind.”

The Smart Village office building is expected to be completed within the next year and will include work-spaces for officials, a community hall for public meetings, and digital facilities to support e-governance activities.