The New Indian Express 21.09.2010
Bouquets and brickbats
KOCHI: With the term of the 16th Corporation Council ending last week, election fever is gripping the city. For denizens, it is the time for evaluating the achievements and shortcomings of the last five years of LDF rule in the city.
Though there is nothing spectacular to boast, the council has succeeded in addressing a few issues relevant to the city’s stature as a developing metro.
It was during the last five years that the highest amount of Central funds were allocated to Kochi. The funds were mainly provided under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and the Asian Development Bank-supported Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project (KSUDP) schemes.
Major achievements
The Central funds were mainly utilised for the betterment of solid waste management, water supply and the transport network. The Council almost succeeded in solving the garbage menace which even invited the intervention of the Kerala High Court during its early days. It was during the tenure of the present Council that the Solid Waste Treatment Plant in Brahmapuram was set up. The plant is now capable of treating solid waste of the entire City. Though various complaints were raised from all quarters against the mismanagement of the plant, the Council succeeded in solving the complaints. The Plant is functioning effectively for the past six months.
The setting up of a Refuse Derived Fuel(RDF) Plant in Brahmapuram is another achievement, claims the LDF. During the term of the last council a bylaw was introduced for solid waste treatment.
Even after the commissioning of the HUDCO potable water project, potable water shortage is still a major problem in West Kochi area. In order to solve the issue, a ` 201-crore project, including a Water Treatment Plant at Nettoor, was initiated during the term of the Council. Another ` 78.4-crore Sewerage project is going on.
Central funds were also utilised for the betterment of Transport and infrastructure. The project for remodeling SA Road and Banerji Road to international standards is progressing. The introduction of hi-tech JNNURM buses is another major achievement. The list of merits of the Council also include the launch of the e-governance project and the ` 22-crore Broadway renovation project.
Shortcomings
The biggest allegation raised against the last council is that though many projects were initiated during the last five years, the Council failed in implementing them fully. The other allegation is that the Central funds lapsed in many cases due to the delay in land acquisition and other reasons. Due to the unscientific construction of the Brahmapuram Solid Waste Treatment Plant, an additional expense of ` 35 crore was incurred for the rectification of the Plant.
The Council also failed in rehabilitating the 33 families evicted from both sides of the Perandoor canal. So far only 12 families were rehabilitated and the rest of the families are still residing at Libra hotel, the temporary shelter provided by the civic body.
The projects for the renovation of crematoria in the city are at a standstill midway. The electrification of Ravipuram crematoria is another issue that is yet to be solved. Several big infrastructure projects including Stadium Link Road, Goshree-Mamangalam Road, Panampilly Nagar- Thevara Road, Panampilly Nagar flyover and Chilavannoor Bund road are yet to take off.
Waterlogging still remains a burning issue. The comfort station project, though initiated, was dropped later due to the unscientific construction. The construction of the zonal office near the Goshree bridge has also come to a standstill.
