The Indian Express 26.03.2013
Fearing lapse of JNNURM funds, PMC pushes for Phase II projects
With funds allocated in the first phase of JNNURM likely to lapse, the Pune Municipal Corporation is pushing projects proposed in Phase II to begin so that they get the funds with immediate effect.
The Centre-deputed JNNURM team last week reviewed the projects being implemented by PMC under Phase-I. "The team visited the BRTS project site and Pashan lake, both being implemented under JNNURM," said Additional Municipal Commissioner Anup Kumar Yadav. He said the team expressed satisfaction over their implementation, while calling for fast completion of projects within the extended deadline.
The issue of funds, still pending with the Union government, was raised in the meeting, Yadav said. "Most of the money for the ongoing projects has been received by PMC and funds that could not take off is pending with the government. The JNNURM team informed the civic officers that the allocation would lapse if not used."
It was decided that the PMC should push for projects that were proposed in Phase II to avail funding from the Phase I allocation.
"We have re-worked three such projects proposed in Phase II and sent it to Union government for considering it to be included in Phase I allocation. This will ensure that the money sanctioned to PMC does not get lapse for not being used," he added.
Fortunately, the detailed project report (DPR) of three projects of Phase II were ready and they could be sent for inclusion in Phase I. Three are of the water department, which includes a tunnel from Parvati to Cantonment Water Works, expansion of the water purification plant at Vadgaon Budhruk and implementation of the ambitious project of metering water supply.
The PMC was allocated funds for slum rehabilitation projects in Warje, Nagar road and rehabilitation of hawkers but the projects could not be started due to failure of acquiring land for the projects.
Meanwhile, the PMC has prepared the City Development Plan (CDP) for the Phase-II of JNNURM as per the directions of government and in this endeavour had organised a number of workshops. The exercise continued for a year. Heads of all the departments of the PMC were asked to propose civic projects to upgrade infrastructure in the city keeping in mind the need for the next 40 years.
The civic administration took into consideration the expected population growth in the next 40 years while preparing the CDP. The exercise included discussion of problems faced during implementation of projects under Phase-I. "We also invited public suggestions for CDP and would be including them in the draft. Also, the suggestions of corporators will be added after discussion in the general body and then only would be sent to union government," Yadava said.
