TRICHY: Besides some
proposed developmental works, the budget for 2013-14 has proposed the
installation of solar systems in corporation-run schools and at the
headquarters of the civic body. Similarly, the corporation once again
included plans to shift some markets in the city considering the
nuisance they are causing to the public and hindering traffic movement.

Though the project for solar power
generation has been proposed in this budget, the idea for implementing
it at the Trichy corporation’s main office was mooted by the
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) in
August 2012. With the implementation of the solar power scheme, the
corporation was expected to cut down the expenses on electricity and
save Rs 10 lakh approximately. But the proposal was abandoned without
any initiative after the state government unveiled its ‘solar energy
policy’. Now, the solar power project has found a place in this year’s
budget. As per the new proposal, the corporation has planned to power
the corporation’s main office through solar panels. The corporation has
also allotted Rs 1 crore to provide solar power for all schools run by
it. Moreover, the corporation has decided to improve the toilet
facilities in 14 corporation-run schools.

Like previous years,
the corporation has submitted its proposal for shifting of vendors from
the fish market in Puthur and Gandhi market. The corporation has
proposed to shift the Puthur market in the heart
of the city to Kasi Vilangi Bridge on Kuzhumani Road. Interestingly,
many of the wholesale fish vendors in the area are not even aware of the
proposed place. “I don’t know the exact location of the proposed site.
But we want the corporation to shift it within the city limit,” said A
Joseph Selvanayagam, a wholesale shop owner in Puthur market. A fish
vendor on condition of anonymity said, “The corporation had many times
proposed to shift the market previously. But nothing happened to shift
the market.”

Another proposed plan is to shift the wholesale
traders of banana, jaggery and onion from Gandhi market to G Corner. The
corporation has taken the decision to ease traffic congestion caused
due to these shops. This proposal was also pending for many years.
Whenever the corporation decided to shift the shops, there was
opposition from the traders and the people. At this juncture, the
corporation has once again given proposal for its shifting.