The Hindu 08.01.2010
Solid waste management project figures in budget estimates
G.V. Prasada Sarma
VISAKHAPATNAM: The budget estimates of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation for 2010-11 contain only one new proposal under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. The mission is aimed at improving amenities and infrastructure in cities. The Central government gives a grant of 50 per cent and the State government 20 per cent. The urban local body has to foot the remaining 30 per cent.
While all the 20 ongoing projects have been allocated funds, only one new project has been proposed in the budget estimates - Rs.5,000 lakhs for solid waste management. Notable among the other schemes are the high visibility Bus Rapid Transit System on two corridors and flyover at Asilmetta, housing programme in two phases, seven works under Basic Services for Urban Poor (BSUP), storm water drains (Rs.7,000 lakhs for 2010-11 and Rs.1,300 lakhs in the revised estimates for 2009-10); drinking water scheme for Gajuwaka (Rs.450 lakhs and Rs.2,000 lakhs); for distribution lines in Gajuwaka (Rs.1,500 lakhs and Rs.1,600 lakhs); for improvement of drinking water supply in One Town (Rs.2,000 lakhs and Rs.1,000 lakhs) and for the Central parts (Rs.3,000 lakhs each); for drinking water in Malkapuram (Rs.500 lakhs each); for underground drainage in Central parts (Rs.5,000 lakhs and Rs.7,800 lakhs) and in Gajuwaka (Rs.500 lakhs each); for underground drainage in 32 merged villages (Rs.500 lakhs and Rs.500 lakhs).
“Since the implementation of the mission, Rs.637 crores has so far been spent on various projects,” says an official. About Rs.200 crores is due from Central and State governments for which utilisation certificates had already been submitted, he said.
The releases expected from both the governments are a way below estimates in the past two years. For city projects and water supply in 2008-09 the receipt was Rs.12,364 lakhs. That year GVMC raised Rs.70 lakhs by way of bonds towards its 30 per cent contribution for the JNNURM works.
In 2009-10, the budget estimated a grant of Rs.1,21,384 lakhs under the mission. But in the revised estimates it has been scaled down Rs.30,400 lakhs. It plans to raise Rs.20,000 lakhs in the current year from financial institutions and Rs.15,000 lakhs next year.
