The Hindu 19.03.2010
Municipal budget focusses on infrastructure
Special Correspondent
| Funds for drainage project, better traffic facilities |
KWA wing to submit report on drainage scheme
Rs.4.20 crore to be spent on housing schemes
KANNUR: Schemes for a comprehensive drainage facility for this town, installation of a garbage treatment plant, renovation of the drinking water supply pipeline and improvement of road traffic were among the highlights of the Kannur Municipality's budget for 2010-11, which envisaged a surplus of Rs.3,81,31,931. It projects a total revenue of Rs.50,08,31,931 and a total expenditure of Rs.46,27,00,000.
The budget, presented by municipal vice-chairman M. Purushothaman at the council meeting in Kannur on Thursday, stressed on improving infrastructure. The budget, the fifth after the current council took over administration, also gives priority to welfare schemes.
Mr. Purushothaman said that four infrastructure projects, proposed to be implemented this year under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDMMST), would receive a Central grant of Rs.70 crore.
The work on an integrated drainage facility for the town was in its final phase, Mr. Purushothaman said, adding that a treatment plant would be set up at Padannappalam. The Kerala Water Authority's consultancy wing WASCON would submit a report of the project which is estimated at Rs.25 crore.
An outlay of Rs.2.5 crore was set apart for the project in the budget. The Rs.35-crore project for replacing the existing water supply pipeline under the UDMMST would also include construction of new overhead tanks at Kodaparamba, Kazanakotta and Sree Narayana Park, Mr. Purushothaman said.
The project for setting up a modern solid waste treatment plant at Chelora was in progress.
The budget also earmarks Rs.7.5 lakh for the proposed slaughterhouse at Marakkarkandy estimated at Rs.75 lakh.
Minorities' welfare
The municipality would spend Rs.4.20 crore on housing schemes under the Central government's Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme and the State government's EMS Housing Scheme. The budget also allocates Rs.10 lakh for minorities' welfare activities recommended by the Sachaar Commission. To improve road traffic facilities, the budget proposes projects such as a bypass road linking Kizhuthalli, Chovva Spinning Mill, Ayikkara and Chalad, widening of Thayatheru-Kannur city road, installation of traffic lights and construction of 18 hi-tech bus shelters through sponsorship and extension of footpath renovation scheme to the Fort Road and Station Road. An amount of Rs.1.25 crore has been earmarked for conservation of drinking water resources including Anakkulam here. The other highlights are a Rs.15-lakh project for a comfort station for women, allocation of Rs.1 crore for new municipal office construction and Rs.30 lakh for construction of the new Town Hall.
