The Hindu 23.11.2010
Planners ignored local factors: Mayor
Staff Reporter
| ‘Hence, people resist works such as digging of roads’ |
KSUDP plans will require more digging of roads
Projects must not burden people: Premajam
Kozhikode: Mayor A.K. Premajam, on Monday, expressed apprehensions about several ongoing multi-crore projects in the city, including the drinking water project aided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
She said the project planners had not given due importance to local factors and had not properly carried out studies to test the soil and factor in the climatic conditions of the State. So, people put up stiff resistance to the work, including digging of roads.
The Mayor was inaugurating a four-day workshop on “Urban and waterfront planning and facilities management,” in connection with the Urban Governance and Management Partnership Programme organised by the Local Self-Government Department, the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project (KSUDP), the Temasek Foundation, a Singapore government investment firm, and the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise here.
Pointing out that the trenches dug for laying huge pipes for the drinking water project had created problems for people, she said the planners had overlooked the requirements of the city and the neighbouring panchayats. Officials had not thoroughly studied the ground realities and selected the suitable technology.
Her remarks assumes significance as the KSUDP is planning to go ahead with projects for sewerage and sanitation (Rs.60.39 crore) and drainage (Rs.30.74 crore) that again involves digging of roads in many parts of the city.
Prof. Premajam said the change in weather was another factor. Usually, the monsoon ended in October, but this year, the rain continued even now.
Such predicaments were not thought of when the drinking water scheme was conceived. Agitated citizens felt that it was inappropriate and the authorities were misusing foreign funds. Partnerships with foreign nations were good. The country required financial assistance owing to paucity of funds, but the implementation of projects should not be a burden on people.
Rising costs
She said the delay in implementation led to cost-escalation. Things should go fast and quality should be ensured. Urbanisation had created many facilities, but they should reach the bottom level of society. Technology should tackle problems in waste management and safe disposal of plastic.
She said Singapore had climatic conditions similar to those of the State. From an impoverished nation four decades ago, it emerged into a prosperous city-state. Some of its technologies could be utilised here with appropriate modifications.
Singapore delegation
A 10-member delegation from Singapore and 10 officials from the Town Planning Department and six from the Corporation are taking part in the capacity-building partnership workshops.
Yin Kam Meng, senior vice-president (engineering) of Surbana International Consultants, and Lee Yew Wenghead, senior vice-president (special projects), K. Krishnakumar, Training Officer, KSUDP, and Corporation Secretary S. Vijayakumar spoke.
