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Corporation approves Plan fund for 2012-13

Thursday, 30 May 2013 05:43 administrator
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The Hindu                 30.05.2013

Corporation approves Plan fund for 2012-13

Staff Reporter

Rs.23.84 crore for infrastructure projects.

The City Corporation’s Plan fund for 2013-14, which was approved on Tuesday, earmarks Rs.78.75 crore for projects under various heads.

Projects to be taken up include those under the Plan fund, the development fund (general) with an allocation of Rs.36.24 crore; those under the 13{+t}{+h}Financial Commission award, Rs.14.44 crore; Scheduled Caste category fund, Rs.6.81 crore; maintenance grant, 7.08 crore for non-road category; and Rs.14.15 crore for road category. Infrastructure development is one of the thrust areas with a total allocation of 23.84 crore, approximately 30 per cent of the entire Plan fund. The stadium grandstand work, as part of the National Games, gets an allocation of Rs.1.25 crore. The work includes renovation of city roads, bus stands, drainage, and street lighting.

In view of the drought situation, water supply projects get Rs.3.13 crore, of which Rs.1.4 crore will be used for the extension of the sub mainline. Improvement work on the mini-drinking water project at Parammel at a cost of Rs.12 lakh and the implementation of a similar project at Chulliyod at a cost of Rs.10 lakh are also planned.

As much as Rs.6.81 crore have been earmarked for the welfare of Scheduled Castes. Out of this, Rs.1.58 crore will be given away as aid for buying land.

 

SMC shells out Rs 23cr extra on 4 infrastructure projects

Wednesday, 29 May 2013 12:26 administrator
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The Times of India                29.05.2013 

SMC shells out Rs 23cr extra on 4 infrastructure projects

SURAT: The local civic body has shelled out not less than Rs 23 crore to contractors over and above the cost decided upon for four infrastructure projects in the last few years.

The money spent is termed as deviation cost that was paid when a project was delayed on account of a change in design or some other technical issue or simply on the grounds that the contractor escalated construction cost forcing the civic body to cough up extra money.

Sources said Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has paid Rs 23 crore as deviation money to the contractors involved in the construction of four bridges in the city. These projects are Gujarat Gas Circle flyover, level crossing on Surat-Bhusawal line railway over bridge, Dindoli main loop line level crossing railway over bridge and Varachha main road flyover.

Figures available with TOI suggest that in the past five years, 50 per cent of the projects were completed after a delay of three months to two years.

"If the civic body can pay deviation money to a contractor for changing the design and on account of cost escalation, why can't it charge a penalty from the contractor for not completing the project on time?" asked a ruling party councillor.

However, officials have a different explanation. Executive engineer (bridge cell) B K Gadhia told TOI, "We ultimately abide by the decision taken by the standing committee. When they decide to pay extra money to the contractor what can we do?"

A member of the standing committee for the last two years said, "The contractors pressurize us to pay more due to our anxiety to get the works completed on time. We have no choice but to pay them extra money."

Surat is otherwise also known to spend lavishly on projects like flyovers and bridges.

In the last five years, the bridge cell of the SMC built three new bridges on river Tapi, nine different flyovers and seven bridges on the creeks.

However, the money spent on the construction of bridges leaves a lot to be desired as in nearly 25 per cent cases, the civic body paid extra money as deviation fee.

 

Municipality gears up to develop Puzhakkara Canal

Wednesday, 29 May 2013 12:15 administrator
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The Times of India                29.05.2013

Municipality gears up to develop Puzhakkara Canal

KOTTAYAM: Puzhakkara Canal and the Ghat in Chingavanam, used to be once a commercially important place. Trade between Alappuzha and the Chingavanam market flourished through this canal in the 70s. But now, the canal is being neglected and is used to dump garbage.

However, not all is lost for the canal and the once famous ghat. The place has still the potential to be developed into a tourist spot.

The canal sandwiched between paddy fields on either side is also the major source of water for farming here.

The mud road on the banks of the canal also makes developmental activities possible. "We are preparing a detailed project for renovating the canal. Once the project is ready it will be presented in the council for approval," said Jos Pallikunnel, ward member. The canal falls in ward 36 of the municipality. "The project will be aimed at developing the place as a tourist spot," he added.

Meanwhile, Kuruvilla Jacob a local resident, remembered that the market used to be one of the main fish markets in Kottayam. "The canal was constructed during the Travancore rule and was called Lakshmipuram Market Landing Canal. Fish was brought here from Alappuzha market while rubber, cardamom and spices was transported to Alappuzha from here," he said.

The 3km-long canal joins Changanassery-Kottayam Public Canal at Vettithara. Though a road has been constructed from the Ghat towards Vettithura, the last 100m of the road is yet to be completed. It is the municipality that has to complete this stretch.

"The canal should be dredged and retaining walls should be constructed," said Shaji Kuruvilla, also a local resident. Meanwhile, the contruction of retaining wall has begun here under the Kuttanad Package. Manoj Joseph, former councillor of the ward, said the road and the canal could be developed as a picnic spot. "Garden, seating arrangements and street lights will change the place into a perfect picnic spot," he said. The canal also provides possibility for pedal boating for the public.

"The canal is fast narrowing. The ghat is becoming a haven for antisocials at night. Bottles and waste are being dumped here," said Kuruvilla Jacob.

 
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