The Hindu                19.04.2013

Stone laid for housing project to rehabilitate slum dwellers

Minister visits corporation office; reviews functioning.

Slums in the State will be eradicated in a phased manner, said Minister for Urban Affairs and Minority Welfare Manjalamkuzhi Ali.

He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for flats to be built at Mattamburam in Madakkathara panchayath, near here, on Thursday as a corporation initiative to eradicate slums in the city.

“The State government has envisaged a mammoth project of Rs. 6,000 crore to rehabilitate slum dwellers. The Central fund for an amount of Rs. 3,000 crore has already been sanctioned,” he said.

The municipalities and corporations in the State have been facing many problems, including shortage of staff and infrastructure, the Minister said. He promised to take initiatives to solve these issues.

Mayor I.P. Paul presided over the function. Therambil Ramakrishnan, MLA; Deputy Mayor Subi Babu; and others participated.

The flats for rehabilitating slum dwellers will be built on 18 acres of land at Mattampuram at a cost of Rs. 4.5 crore. Costford is building the flats. The building, which can accommodate 120 families, is expected to be completed in 18 months.

There will be facilities like anganwadis and library in the complex. Each family has to pay an amount of Rs. 17,000 to own the flat.

Earlier, the Minister visited the Thrissur Corporation office and reviewed the functioning of various departments.

The Minister asked the corporation to find ways to improve its own fund. Development activities should be done in private-public participation mode, he said.