Corporation draws up Rs. 105-cr. Plan project.

The Kochi Corporation has drawn up draft development projects under the decentralised people's Plan campaign for the 2015-15 financial year, foreseeing a Plan fund allocation of Rs. 105.05 crore.

Draft projects formulated at the ward sabha-level were discussed at a development seminar held in the city on Monday. Inaugurating the seminar, PWD Minister V.K. Ebrahim Kunju asked corporation and other civic bodies to foresee the development of the city after the commissioning of the Kochi Metro Rail while formulating projects. Mayor Tony Chammany presided over the function.

Of the allocation, Rs. 5.43 crore would be spent in the manufacturing sector, Rs. 24.47 crore each in the service and infrastructure sectors. Fishing will receive the largest chunk in the production sector with Rs. 2.50 crore followed by animal husbandry with Rs. 1.43 crore and agriculture with Rs. 50 lakh.

In the service sector, women and child welfare projects have been allocated Rs. 5.50 crore followed by poverty alleviation and social welfare with Rs. 3.50 crore each. Housing (Rs. 3 crore), health and sanitation (Rs. 2.30 crore), solid waste treatment (Rs. 2.10 crore), education, sports, and youth welfare (Rs. 1.03 crore) and drinking water (Rs. 75 lakh) are next in the list in terms of allocation.

Transportation (Rs. 12 crore) and prevention of water logging (Rs. 8 crore) have been identified as the priority areas in the infrastructure sector. Besides, maintenance fund for roads (Rs. 34.75 crore) and other than roads (Rs. 8.80 crore) is also expected.

Development standing committee chairman of the corporation T.J. Vinod said that projects other than the ones included in the draft projects had also come up during the day-long discussions in which division councillors and members of the public participated.

'Most of such projects were suggested in the transportation sector and in the area of prevention of water logging. Once the processing and allocation is complete, these draft projects will be placed before the Council for finalisation,' he said.


THE HINDU