The Hindu 30.03.2010
Host of project proposals in Thripunithura budget
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: The budget of the Thripunithura municipality for 2010-11 presented on Saturday by B. S. Nandanan, vice-chairman of the municipal council, contains a number of project proposals.
Among the new projects in the Rs. 69.98-lakh surplus budget is the beautification of road and construction of pavements from Poornathrayeesa temple to Statue Junction and from Statue Junction to Chakkamkulangara temple for which Rs. 10 lakh has been earmarked. Another project is a mini convention centre on Layam ground. This is part of the 50 {+t} {+h} anniversary of the people's Athaghosham for which a total of Rs. 50 lakh has been earmarked.
The railway overbridge at Mathur junction, Eroor, has been give top priority in the budget that envisages a total expenditure of Rs. 32.49 crore against an income of Rs. 33.19 crore, with Rs. 2 crore set apart for land acquisition.
Public works
A major decision in the project is to go in for a public-private partnership in constructing the bridge, for which Rs. 5 lakh has been allocated.
Public works would get Rs. 1.73 crore that would include completion of pending works from the 2009-10 proposals. Another Rs. 1.75 crore for construction of roads and buildings is yet a major feature that is meant to improve the basic infrastructure of the town. Total electrification of Thripunithura and improving infrastructure get more than Rs. 53 lakh in the budget proposal. Another Rs. 2.25 lakh has been proposed for getting more hands to manage the functioning of street lamps.
The culturally-rich town had identified the old RLV college site to be converted into a cultural centre earlier. This time, the budget has proposed Rs. 50 lakh to build a park and cultural centre for Thripunithura.
The Taluk Hospital and the Government dispensary at Mekkara get Rs. 8 lakh and Rs. 15 lakh respectively for maintenance and modernisation. Another major construction for which Rs. 73 lakhs has been earmarked is the shopping complex at the old bus stand.
