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Delay in funds hits development projects

Thursday, 05 November 2009 10:57 administrator
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Indian Express 5.11.2009

Delay in funds hits development projects

Development

The state government is sitting on funds as much as Rs 164 crore, according to officials

Pimpri-Chinchwad awaits crucial schemes under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission

Faced with a funds crunch and little help coming forth from the state government, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation(PCMC) is finding it difficult to implement crucial development projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission(JNNURM). If officials are to be believed, the civic body has run out of funds to carry on with development projects like sewerage, river improvement and solid waste management.

"Whatever funds we had have been paid to the contractors. Now we if don't pay the contractors, the key development projects will come to a standstill," said Neelkanth Poman, the civic officer who is looking after the JNNURM projects. Poman said the problem would be solved to a great extent if the state government releases the JNNURM funds passed on to it by the central government. "The funds that the central government sanctions to civic bodies are routed through the state government. Our funds have been passed on to the state government by the central government. For six months, we have been waiting for the state government to release the funds," he said.

Officials said the state government has been sitting on as much as Rs 164 crore which includes both state as well as central government funds. Municipal Commissioner Asheesh Sharma said in the event these funds are not available to the PCMC as early as possible, the development projects would be affected.

"Due to the model code of conduct, the release of funds has been hampered. We have been in contact with the state government, and are now hopeful of early release of funds as the elections are over," he said.

Poman said for the Pavana river front improvement the PCMC is supposed to get Rs 62 crore, for sewerage Rs 22 crore, for solid waste management Rs 12 crore, for slum rehabilitation Rs 21 crore and for economically weaker section projects Rs 32 crore.

The PCMC has already suffered a setback on the financial front as its octroi revenue compared to last fiscal has dipped considerably this time. Octroi is the main source of revenue for the civic body. Sharma said PCMC is the first civic body in the state to get maximum funds under the JNNURM. "We have received a sanction of Rs 2,601 crore from the central government and this is the highest amount sanctioned to any civic body in the state," he claimed. Of the sanctioned amount of Rs 2601 crore, the central government has released Rs 846 crore and the PCMC has so far received Rs 682 crore. The next two years, said Sharma, are "very crucial" for the civic body as the JNNURM projects pick up momentum.

Poman said while the availability of funds are pegging PCMC on the backfoot, land acquisition has also adversely affected the civic body's plans. "The acquisition of land for the sewage treatment plant at Sangvi ran into a controversy. It took quite a while to bring warring parties agree to part with the land for the development project," he said.

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 November 2009 11:00
 

Forum set up on PPP model for Vadodara’s development

Wednesday, 04 November 2009 11:20 administrator
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Indian Express 4.11.2009

Forum set up on PPP model for Vadodara’s development

The Vadodara Municipal Corporation and other senior administrative heads of the city are now forming a collective body under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in a bid to further the city’s development.

Christened ‘Team Vadodara’, the forum will have on board the district collector, municipal commissioner, police commissioner, district development officer, Mayor, MPs, MLAs, Non Government Organisations (NGO), representatives of various public and private industries and others members discussing ways in which to develop the city.

The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday evening. The topmost priority will be to target the areas which lack development, along with a region-wise identification of the problems.

“We have tried for representation from every stratum of society. We have representatives from industries, and various NGOs who can bring in a clear picture of the setbacks faced by different stratum of society,” said District Collector Vijay Nehra.

 

 

Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 November 2009 11:24
 

'Village in a metro' eyes urban growth

Wednesday, 04 November 2009 05:57 administrator
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The Times of India 04.11.2009

'Village in a metro' eyes urban growth

Somit Sen, TNN 4 November 2009, 03:04am IST

The Bhandup assembly constituency was a prestigious win for Raj Thackeray's MNS as it was an NCP stronghold for many years. But newly elected MLA Shishir Shinde, who rode to victory on the Marathi manoos agenda, has a huge task ahead.
Voters here complain that most parts of Bhandup still exist like a "village nestled amidst a metropolis''. In fact, one of its roads, called the Bhandup Village Road, is in a regular state of chaos. "There are narrow roads in Bhandup which need to be made free of encroachment. The evening peak-hour witnesses traffic snarls at most junctions. It is difficult to go on a drive in Bhandup without getting stuck in a jam,'' said Ravi Pendhekar, a resident of Datta Mandir Road.

Kirti Shah, a local businessman, said load-shedding was the biggest problem and so was water scarcity. "Nearly 80% of Bhandup has a severe water crisis,'' he stated. Another businessman, Tarlok Singh, said that LBS Marg, which was once a major arterial road, was dug up at several places. "On a few other roads located in the interiors, the interlocking paver tiles have been removed and new tar roads have already developed potholes,'' he pointed out.

Sayyed Noorul Hassan, a resident for four decades, said the lanes off the village road are always flooded with knee-deep water during the monsoon. "No politician has ever studied the problem nor improved the drains,'' he said. He also demanded the introduction of more buses so every nook of Bhandup is connected to the station area.

Said a slum resident Harish Jadhav, "There is a need for better roads in the Bhandup hills. There is also a need for more public toilets, street lights and health clinics.''

Another resident said that there was a need to beautify Shivaji Talao, which is used for Ganesh immersions and is of great sentimental value to the locals.
 
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