Kochi corporation presents draft of projects in meet

KOCHI: The Kochi Corporation on Monday presented a rough draft of development projects to be carried out during the 2015 -2016 fiscal at the annual development seminar organised by the civic body.  Steps to utilise the Plan fund allocation of Rs 105 crore for the next fiscal were discussed.

Minister for Public Works V.K. Ebrahim Kunju, while inaugurating the seminar, urged the civic authorities to conceive long-term projects with a focus on resolving issues like water-logging, mosquito menace and eradication or renovation of slums. He  promised  the government’s support in executing projects in the draft proposal discussed at the seminar.

This year, the corporation has Rs 38 crore as government allocation, of which Rs 16 crore is from the 13th Financial Commission, Rs 7.9 crore for SC-ST welfare, Rs 34 crore  for road maintenance  and Rs 8 crore for non-road works. In its draft proposal, the civic body has given prominence to road development, waste management and resolving water-logging.

Mr Dominic Presentation MLA, while addressing the seminar,  stressed the need to complete the projects in a time-bound manner. He pointed out that the sewage treatment project proposed in West Kochi area had not been implemented yet.

While Mr Benny Behanan MLA urged measures to complete the flyover projects and preparation of master plan, Mr Hibi Eden MLA criticised the civic administration for lack of planning and professionalism in conceiving and implementing projects.

Addressing the gathering, Mayor Tony Chammany promised to include suggestions by various stakeholders in the final proposal for the budget. Corporation standing committee chairmen Ludy Luis MLA and Greater Cochin Development Authority chairman N Venugopal also attended.