KOCHI: Kochi Corporation, which has been allotted Rs 328 crore under the Union government’s AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme for development projects in five sectors could utilise only Rs 3 crore so far. Corporation authorities claim that projects worth Rs 167 cr are in the tendering stage. The project initiated in June 2015 is for five years and in each financial year, the Union government will allocate funds for each city selected for AMRUT.
The Union government will foot 50 per cent of the project cost, the State will bear 30 per cent and the local body 20 per cent in initiating projects in five sectors – drinking water supply, sewage, drainage, urban transport development and development of green zone parks. Rs 328 crore has been allotted for three years from 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 financial years. The fund is being given based on the performance of the civic body in each phase.
“Unlike other Central projects, funds will not be given as a onetime lumpsum in AMRUT. Once the project is initiated, the Centre will provide the gap fund required for its implementation which is in addition to the State government’s share and ULB (urban local body) share. The local body has to submit the action plan and detailed project report based on which the clearance will be given by the government,” said a top civic official.
“Projects worth Rs 167 crore which are already in the tendering or work awarding stage will begin by May second week,” the official added. In the initial phase, the Corporation received an installment of Rs 75.91 crore and the civic body prepared a list of works to be carried out using the funds. However, they have not been implemented. Meanwhile, Mayor Soumini Jain said that procedural delays had caused a slowdown of AMRUT projects and poor utilisation of funds. “Many of the projects got delayed due to the slowdown in getting government clearance. Some of the projects like drinking water pipeline-laying along Thevara – Konthur-uthy, and Mattancherry – Koovapadam stretches are on hold due to issues in getting clearance for road cutting.
However, some of the major AMRUT projects like restoration of TP Canal will be undertaken soon,” said Ms. Jain. According to V. P Chandran, CPM councillor, it is due to the Corporation’s lack of commitment that a huge amount of funds provided by the Union government were being wasted every year.
