Kerala okays development projects worth Rs 239 cr

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government has approved projects worth Rs 239 crore for development of Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi cities.

The projects were approved by a steering committee chaired by the Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, according to the Minister for Local Administration, Mr Paloli Mohamed Kutty.

The Minister said here on Thursday that the committee gave the go-ahead to projects costing Rs 104.45 crore submitted by the Kochi Corporation under the Basic Service for the Urban Poor Scheme, which is part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Of the total cost, the Centre’s contribution will be Rs 52.22 crore, while the State Government will chip in Rs 20.89 crore and the corporation Rs 19.54 crore. The balance of Rs 11.79 crore will be the contribution of the beneficiaries.

The projects cover construction of 7,510 houses and 576 flats, apart from development of basic amenities in housing colonies.

In Thiruvananthapuram city, approval has been given for projects worth Rs 125.87 crore to be implemented in the corporation limits as also in five panchayats.

The Centre’s share in the total cost is Rs 100.69 crore, while the State Government will contribute Rs 6.47 crore, the corporation Rs 6.47 crore and the beneficiaries Rs 12.23 crore.

Besides, a Rs 4.60 crore project will be implemented by the Kochi Corporation in the third phase of the JNNURM in Thrippunithura and Kalamassery areas.