Kochi is racing against time to grab its share from the
additional resources available with the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal
Mission.
The Centre had recently announced that additional funds to
the tune of Rs. 6000 crore would be released to the Mission. It will be on
first-come-first-served basis that the resources will be allotted. The Mission
cities the need to submit Detailed Project Report (DPR) as prescribed by the
Mission for getting extra funds.
A meeting convened by the Local Self Government Department
recently had urged the city administrators to complete the formalities for
taping the additional financial aid for various projects. It was also suggested
at the meeting that projects that could be implemented in a time-bound manner
should be given priority in this phase.
The city administrators had earlier decided to seek funds
for flyovers, water supply and drainage projects. However, the Public Works
Department had expressed surprise at the decision of the corporation council
and made public its intentions to go ahead with the flyover projects in the
city. The council decision had also triggered a war of words between PWD
Minister V.K. Ibrahim Kunju and Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany.
Making the stand of the civic body clear in the construction
of flyovers at Kundannoor, Kalamassery, Vyttila and Palarivattom, Mr. Chammany
said the civic body was keen on bringing more infrastructure projects to the
city.
If the government intends to build the flyovers through PWD,
the civic body would be happy to play its role as a facilitator for channeling
funds as mission funds were allotted to cities. The Kochi Corporation was open
to any suggestion from the State government in this regard, he said.
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