As the year draws to a close, the Corporation is on the run to
disburse its plan funds. Projects worth a whopping `5 crore, meant for
giving a facelift to city schools, markets and other public places, are
in the pipeline.

Exactly, `5,63,13,595 will be spent on developing
basic amenities in the city, said Deputy Mayor and Finance Standing
Committee chairperson B Bhadra. She said that most of the funds have
been earmarked for renovation of government schools, public parks and
other such facilities where development is long pending. As the
Corporation council has approved the tender proceedings, the work of the
projects will commence soon, she said.

One of the major projects
in the offing is the construction of an industrial and marketing centre
exclusively for women. Projects worth `32,39,098 have been approved for
the uplift of Anganawadis in and around the city and for construction of
a new one on the Corporation land behind Dream Hotel. Approval has also
been given to construct an open stadium at the Edappally Government
High School ground. A sum of `35,80,000 will be spent on providing
amenities to the old-age homes run by the Corporation and for the
development of colonies.

Besides, the public toilet at the Thevara Fisheries Road SC-ST colony will be renovated with `1 lakh.

A
new fish market in Devankulangara division will be set up for
`5,85,000. Public parks, open stages and other public places in the city
will be renovated, including the Mattanchery park and Fort Kochi Nehru
park for which `1,15,59,497, has been set aside.

The long-pending demand for an open stage at the P J Antony playground has also been included in the slew of works.

Various
renovation works are mooted in government schools at a cost of
`1,70,00,000. Government hospitals, homeo-dispensary units and health
circles in the city will be renovated for which `99,00,000 has been
earmarked.