Urban News

Hindustan Times 26.03.2010

The state will carry out a survey of its 22 municipal corporations and 230 cities to check wastewater disposal.

Almost 60 per cent of the wastewater generated is not treated, eventually finding its way into rivers and canals adjoining the cities.

The Budget set aside Rs 20 crore for the survey, which will identify sites where wastewater treatment plants can be set up.

Also, Rs 2,739 crore was set aside for an ambitious river-cleaning programme — a project funded by the Central Government.

The state aims to increase its green cover by setting up 19 new forest parks. At least two parks will be developed in every district, while 10 existing parks will be upgraded.

Rs 89 crore will be routed through the new Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority to conserve forests and wildlife. This fund, which earlier went to the Central Government, came from the diversion of forestland for non-forestry use, such as development projects.

The green plan was also extended to rural areas, where the state allocated Rs 200 crore for eco-friendly villages. The government will give financial assistance for development plans to villages that show promise in areas like sanitation, cleanliness and dispute resolution.

The assistance will include guidance on tree planting, drainage, provision of basic civic amenities, sewage disposal and banning the use of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials.

The state also waived taxes on solar lanterns so that people make more use of alternative energy sources, reducing the demand for power.

Business Line 25.03.2010

Rs 3,708-cr draft development plan for Kozhikode

Our bureau

Kozhikode, March 24

As part of the process for obtaining Central assistance under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the Kozhikode Corporation has prepared a draft City Development Plan with a total outlay of Rs 3,708. crore.

beneficiaries

As of now, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram in the State are the beneficiaries of the scheme and Kozhikode is set to join them after the Centre decided to expand the scope of JNNURM to include more cities in the country.

The draft, prepared by the Kochi-based consultants, has incorporated the JNNURM guidelines framed by the Union Ministry of Urban Development applicable to all states.

It has drawn up hundreds of short, medium and long-term development projects for the city covering 12 sectors.

According to officials of Kozhikode Corporation, the projects have been designed keeping in view the present status of the city and the newly delineated panchayats and covering demographic, economic, infrastructural, environmental and institutional aspects.

Short-term projects

The short-term projects are planned to be implemented during the 2010-15 period, while the medium and long-term projects will be implemented during 2015-2020 and 2020-30 periods, respectively.

Outlay

The draft plan reckons an outlay of Rs 1,963.3 crore for implementation of schemes in the transport and traffic sector.

Sewerage and sanitation schemes will cost Rs 848.45 crore and storm water drainage projects Rs 440.15 crore.

These projects, however, will not overlap the ongoing works under the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Programme (KSUDP).

The projects include development of 20 road junctions and parking plazas in the city, widening of national highway stretches, development of a coastal road and a truck terminal.

Sewerage and sanitation

Under the sewerage and sanitation sector, establishment of treatment plants and providing a sewerage system have also been envisaged in the draft plan.