No follow-up: Dream projects never took off
The case was no different in the transition phase, which was from 2012 to 2014
Kochi: The poor rating of Kochi in the implementation of JNNURM projects was no accident. When the Central government’s urban development ministry put out a chart on the status of the projects in various cities across the country as on March 31, 2012, Kochi was one of the few cities where not one project got a status report as ‘physically completed’.
Though the city got projects in eight segments worth Rs 613.91 crore approved, it used only 216.63 crore, or 36 per cent in the 2006-2012 period.
The fund utilisation in various segments ranged from zero to 61 (see box). That Kerala did not even figure on the list of states where urban infrastructure and governance (UIG) were being taken up in the second phase is no solace for the city
dwellers.
The city which failed to perform in the first phase made proposals for seven projects in the transition phase, from 2012 to 2014, for a total sum of Rs 217 crore.
“The projects were meant to make the city a lot more livable, but they failed to take off as the Centre returned all the detailed project reports for lapses. The Corporation never thought it fit to pursue it,” said a senior official in Kochi corporation.
The projects were: Pedestrian-friendly urban transport system: (Rs 55.10 crore): The project was aimed at improving selected junctions with well-defined crossings and free left for vehicles and passages for pedestrians and street lights. DPR rejected.
Surface water drainage project for East Kochi, West Kochi (Rs 40 crore, Rs 50 crore): Creating a network of drainages by cleaning up and interlinking the existing ones, building new ones and then connecting it to Kochi backwaters. Status: DPR rejected.
Inland water transport system: It was envisaged to form a new water transport policy, create a special mechanism to improve the inland water transport system, make the existing routes navigable and discover new routes. Status: DPR rejected.
Renovating public markets (Rs 32.68 crore): The project aimed at renovating public markets in Pachalam, Kaloor, Thoppumpadi, Polakkandam and Champakkara. Setting up a proper waste management system and building modern slaughter houses were also part of the project. Status: DPR rejected.
Revamping Broadway, Ernakulam Market heritage area (Rs 25 crore, Rs 15 crore): The region, which is considered a heritage area, was to be conserved with some of the buildings declared heritage buildings. DPR partly approved, part of the work completed.