No decision on Kochi gas project yet

KOCHI: Despite the chief minister’s instruction to take up the city gas project at the earliest, the Kochi Corporation council has failed to approve the road restoration rates for pipe laying fixed by the state government. Though the application submitted by Indian Oil-Adani Gas Private Limited for trenching the 4 km road from Vyttila to Thevara was on the agenda circulated among councillors during the meeting Tuesday, it was postponed. “The proposal will be reexamined by the Works Committee based on the technical report submitted by the superintending engineer. The Works Committee meeting will thoroughly discuss the technical and cost aspects, and the proposal will be submitted to the next council meeting with the committee’s recommendations,” said mayor Soumini Jain.

While replying to the debate on the topic, Ms Jain said that the Corporation wanted the project implemented at the earliest. “There is no dispute in the council regarding the necessity of piped gas. But the civic administration has apprehensions over the proper restoration of roads using the amount fixed by the government as it is much lesser than our normal rates,” she added. Debate on the project resulted in noisy scenes in the meeting with ruling and the opposition benches engaging in heated arguments.

More than 890 kilometres of the city roads have to be cut at a 1.5-metre width and 6 feet depth which will completely damage the road. Hence, restoration charge of '3685.56 for one square metre will be grossly inadequate to repair them, according to the ruling councillors. Deputy mayor T.J. Vinod pointed out that after various charges, the civic body will get only Rs 1434.36 for the restoration of one cubic metre of the road which will be grossly inadequate. Works committee chairperson P.M. Haris and welfare committee chair A.B. Sabu demanded the proposal discussed before getting it approved by the council.