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Roy pulls up state for not utilising JNNURM funds

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 07:20 administrator
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The Financial Express 18.08.2009

Roy pulls up state for not utilising JNNURM funds

Kolkata: At a time when the central government is flooded with projects from states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, the West Bengal government has not been able to submit its plans for projects worth Rs 1700 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for lack of initiative.

Even though the state has submitted projects worth Rs 1200 crore, it is yet to implement around 40% of it, said Saugata Roy, Union minister of state for urban development. He was speaking at an interactive session organised by the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce (BNCCI) here on Monday.

“The state has submitted 39 projects under the JNNURM. Most of these projects are earmarked for developing transport infrastructure in the city. But they didn't progress. Moreover, the state has missed the important aspect of the JNNURM. It did not focus on the projects for providing people with basic amenities like drinking water plant, drainage-sewerage upgradation and the solid waste management,” Roy alleged.

According to norms laid down by the Centre, 35% of the project cost will be borne by the Centre while the remaining 65% will be provided by the state government and urban local bodies.

Roy said Rs 3,018 crore was sanctioned for Kolkata and Asansol under JNNURM while Haldia and Siliguri, which the state government wanted to include, did not qualify as they had less then one million population.

While Maharashtra is implementing JNNURM schemes for six cities, Bengal is lagging far behind in carrying out urban development projects, Roy added.

 

Govt mulls ‘Kochi Metropolitan Area’

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 06:44 administrator
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The Business Line 18.08.2009

Govt mulls ‘Kochi Metropolitan Area’

Move to raise Greater Kochi to metro status.

Vinson Kurian

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 17 The State Government is considering the idea of a ‘Kochi Metropolitan area’ by building on the framework of the Kochi Urban Agglomeration prepared as part of the City Development Plan (CDP) under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

This will effectively raise Greater Kochi to ‘Metro’ status, and the country’s southern-most one, according to sources in the State Government.

Kochi, a city with a population of 13.55 lakh, was identified as one of the 63 cities under JNNURM. This refers to Kochi Urban Agglomeration, which has a population of 13.55 lakh as per Census 2001.

SMALLER AREA

The Kochi Urban Agglomeration comprises Kochi Municipal Corporation, five municipalities, 15 panchayats and part of three panchayats.

But the CDP presented by the KMC is prepared for a smaller area and population covering Kochi Corporation, two municipalities and 13 panchayats covering a population of 11.38 lakh and an area of 131.02 sq. km.

Three municipalities and 12 panchayats, which are part of Kochi Urban Agglomeration, have been excluded from the Kochi CDP area.

The 74th amendment of the Constitution defines a ‘Metropolitan area’ as having a population of a million or more, comprising one or more districts and consisting of two or more municipalities or panchayats or other contiguous areas, specified by the Governor by public notification.

INDUSTRIAL BELT

Practically, the western half of Kochi and satellite cities and towns including the industrial belt of Aluva-Elur-Ambalamugal; Thrippunithura, Thrikkakara, Thiruvankulam, Narakkal and North Parur will be brought under the Metropolitan Area. Urban centres under the existing Greater Cochin Development Area (GCDA) too would merge with the proposed Metropolitan Area.

There have also been suggestions that the Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery, an hour’s drive from the city, should be merged with the larger Metro Area.

The only hitch, according to sources, is that it would take at least six to seven years for the Metro Area to come into being after getting officially notified. No single Government can hope to see the proposal being taken to its logical conclusion.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 August 2009 07:05
 

All major drains to be cleaned

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 06:36 administrator
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The Hindu - Puduchery 18.08.2009

All major drains to be cleaned

PUDUCHERRY: Minister for Public Works M.O.H.F. Shahjahan on Monday informed the Assembly that the government proposed to clean all major drains at a cost of Rs. 1.9 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

Replying to a question, he said that already Rs. one crore had been allocated and a tender would be finalised on August 25. All projects planned under the JNNURM would be implemented as funds to the tune of Rs. 350 crore had been allocated by the Centre.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 August 2009 06:43
 
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