Promising accountable governance rooted in public trust and expectations, Thrissur Mayor Niji Justin has laid out an ambitious road map for the city’s future, unveiling ‘Thrissur@2075 Vision.’
Stressing transparency as the cornerstone of her administration, the Mayor announced at a meet-the-press organised by the Thrissur Press Club on Tuesday that a White Paper detailing the Corporation’s current financial position would be released soon. The focus, she said, would be on comprehensive urban development that balanced infrastructure growth with social responsibility.
As part of long-term planning, Dr. Justin announced a Thrissur development conclave, envisaged as a platform to chart the city’s growth over the next 50 years. The conclave would bring together stakeholders from health care, education, business, finance, youth groups and the media. Urban beautification and sustainable development would be key themes of discussion.
Road repairs
To address the city’s deteriorating road condition, the Mayor said special squads would be formed, involving local councillors and residents’ associations, to ensure time-bound repair of damaged roads through regular field inspections.
To address one of the city’s most pressing issues, she announced plans to establish shelters for stray dogs and to strengthen the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. Dogs captured under the scheme would not be released back to the streets, and gaps in the existing system would be addressed.
Public grievance redressal would be strengthened through regular adalats, aimed at resolving citizens’ complaints through continuous and structured interaction.
In the interest of food safety, the Corporation would introduce a grading system for hotels, with emphasis on hygiene, sanitation and clean restroom facilities.
Women-centric infra
Addressing women-centric infrastructure, the Mayor acknowledged the lack of clean public toilets for women and announced plans to set up well-maintained “pink washrooms” at major public locations across the city.
The Mayor, a health-care professional, said women’s and children’s health care would be a priority area, with awareness programmes, fitness initiatives, open gyms and mental health support systems at the local-body level.
Plans to ease traffic congestion would include developing MG Road as a model road under a fast-track project. Tile works on the road in front of the KSRTC stand would be completed by January 6. Renovation of the Aranattukara Tagore Centenary Hall would also be completed in early January.
Preparations for the Thrissur Pooram would begin in January itself, in coordination with the Devaswoms and the State government, with special emphasis on making the festival more women-friendly.
100-day action plan
The Mayor said a 100-day action plan would be finalised after discussions in the newly elected council and implemented with its approval. Public opinion and suggestions, she added, would guide the city’s dream projects, with priority for basic needs such as water supply, lighting, roads, cleanliness, beautification and senior citizens’ welfare. “All projects will be implemented only after collective deliberation with the 56 councillors,” Dr. Justin said, underlining her commitment to participatory governance.
Excess tax to be refunded
She said steps would be taken, in accordance with the law, to refund the excess tax collected by the previous Corporation council, as promised in the United Democratic Front’s election manifesto. She said the proposal to return the excess tax to the public would first be placed before the council for approval and subsequently submitted to the State government for necessary sanction. The refund process would begin only after government clearance was obtained.
In a symbolic gesture of social commitment, the Mayor announced that she would not accept bouquets or mementos at public functions, urging organisers to instead contribute to the Mayor’s Relief Fund for dialysis and chemotherapy patients.
Published – December 30, 2025 07:51 pm IST
