The Hindu 15.06.2013
Kochi to seek more funds for flyovers, water supply projects
City administrators are planning to seek additional
funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)
for flyovers, water supply and drainage projects.
The
Corporation Council, which met here on Friday, approved a resolution
moved by Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany in this regard. The Council’s
clearance is required for the civic body to move ahead with its
projects.
Briefing corporation councillors at the
meeting, Mr. Chammany said the Central government had announced its
intention to provide more funds for local bodies which could submit
Detailed Project Reports (DPR) of their projects before July.
Sudhir
Krishna, Secretary of Ministry of Urban Development, had also hinted at
the funding possibilities at a function organised in connection with
the Kochi metro rail project, Mr. Chammany said.
City
corporation will forward the proposals of the State government to build
flyovers at Kundannoor, Kalamassery, Vyttila and Palarivattom. It will
be on the understanding that the State government will bear the cost of
land acquisition, tender excess and the share of the urban local body
that the projects will be forwarded. The support of the National
Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will also be sought. The role of the
civic body will be that of a facilitator as JNNURM projects are
sanctioned to local bodies, Mr. Chammany said.
The
Ring Road proposed by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA)
from Marine Drive to Varapuzha at a length of 10.5 km will be submitted
under the transport sector. The cost for acquiring land for the project
will be jointly met by the civic body, the GCDA and the State
government.
A new water supply project for providing
additional volume of drinking water to the city is also in the wish list
of the city administrators. The civic authorities plan to join hands
with the Kerala Water Authority for the project. The KWA is the
implementing agency for the Muvattupuzha drinking water project for
which the Kochi Corporation had obtained funds from the JNNURM earlier.
The
State Irrigation Department will be roped in for a project for
improving the water quality of major canals and water bodies in the
city. A drainage project for eastern Kochi and an integrated drainage
scheme for West Kochi, a water transport project meant to act as a
supporting infrastructure project for the Kochi metro rail and a few
heritage conservation projects at West Kochi will also be forwarded. A
few projects including the Broadway heritage conservation will be
resubmitted for additional funds.
The civic body may
have to rely on the DPRs prepared by agencies such as the NHAI for its
flyovers. Going by the funding pattern of the Mission projects, the
Centre will provide 50 per cent of the project cost.
