The Hindu                       26.03.2013

Kannur budget to focus on infrastructure, services

Special Correspondent 

The Kannur municipal budget for 2013-14 that focuses on
improvement of road facilities, renovation and protection of assets, and
upgradation of services and facilities, earmarks a revenue of Rs.79.14
crore, an expenditure of Rs.74.43 crore, and a surplus of Rs.4.70 crore.

Presenting
the budget at the municipal council meeting here on Monday, Municipal
Vice Chairman C. Sameer said the municipality was currently implementing
the solid waste treatment projects, which had always remained a major
bother for the civic body, and the decisions taken to solve the drinking
water scarcity in parts of the municipality. The municipality had
succeeded in enhancing road and other infrastructure facilities, and in
launching welfare and development projects.

This
year’s budget proposals included projects included in the People’s
Planning project for 2013-14, Mr. Sameer said. A shopping avenue,
including a modern theatre and an entertainment facility, would be
developed near the S.N. Park. It would be aimed at attracting tourists
reaching the Payyambalam beach area.

Part of the
municipal land would be used for constructing the overhead water tank
for supplying drinking water for residents in the Payyambalam area after
demolishing the Sangeetha Theatre which now stood near the S.N. Park.
The remaining plot would be used for constructing the shopping avenue,
he said, adding Rs.50 lakh had been earmarked for the project in the
budget.

Solar energy-based high mast lights would be
installed at the A.K.G Junction, Taluk Office, Police Club Junction,
Payyambalam Girls High School Junction, Thayyil Bazar, and the Press
Club Junction. An amount of Rs.45 lakh had been set apart for this.

The
budget also earmarked Rs.10 lakh for developing a traffic circle near
the Peethambara Park to relieve traffic bottleneck near the State Bank
of India main branch here.

The municipality would
also construct a bus bay near the District Veterinary Centre for the
convenience of passengers of long-distance and town service buses. The
budget allocated Rs.10 lakh for the project.

A
building for conducting exhibitions, an art gallery, and a mini
conference hall, would be built near the Government Municipal High
School here at a cost of Rs.25 lakh.

Another Rs.25
lakh would be utilised for renovation of foot path along the
Thayatheru-city-Thayyil-Chovva road that connected the National Highway
at Thezhukkilpeedika.

The budget also included a
proposal for maintaining and renovating institutions and assets of the
municipality. Rs.10 lakh would be allocated for this, and a sum of Rs.20
lakh for linking the road across the Fire Station and the BOT Bus
Terminal.

Budget proposals also included the
development of a cricket stadium at Marakkarkandy here at a cost of
Rs.25 lakh. The stadium, to be named Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, would be
built in association with the Kerala Cricket Association.

CCTV
cameras would be installed in the municipal offices to allow the
chairperson, secretary and vice chairman, and municipal engineer to
monitor the services being offered to the public to ensure transparency.

Touch
screen facility would be installed for the public to get the status of
their applications. The earmarked amount would be Rs.10 lakh. The budget
also set apart Rs.15 lakh for a centre for making paper bags, cups and
plats at Marakkarkandy as a measure to popularise paper products.

The
municipality would form a municipal rapid action mobile force to act
against encroachment, waste disposal, vehicle repair on public roads,
and unauthorised parking, among others. An amount of Rs.15 lakh would be
used for it. Rs.2.10 crore had been set aside as ward allotment. The
budget also included the allocation of Rs.15 lakh for constructing a
strong room and record room at the municipality.

Municipal chairperson M.C. Sreeja presided over the function.