Kozhikode gears up for Amrut projects.

A special unit of the Kozhikode Corporation has initiated the process to implement the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut) project in the city.

The Centre has sanctioned Rs.71.3 crore for the city under different heads such as water supply (Rs.17.87 crore); sewage and septage management (Rs.45.60 crore); drainage (Rs.6.81 crore); and green spaces (Rs.85 lakh) for this fiscal.

Official sources said the special unit was involved in preparing a detailed project report (DPR) to get approval from the technical committee. In fact, these projects had been actually conceived for last fiscal even though the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had inaugurated the Amrut project only in the last week of December 2015.

The delay in finalising the consultancy services for the execution of the projects had affected the execution of these projects. Besides, the model code of conduct during the Assembly polls slowed down the procedures. At present steps are being taken to ink an agreement with WAPCOS-OASIS Consortium. The consultants would provide end-to-end support for the Amrut project, the sources said.

The projects were the rehauling of existing old pipes, valves and inter-connections with existing lines, construction of sewerage system in Zone A, storm water drainage construction on Gurukkal Road-P.M. Kutty Road-Chakkittada-E.K. Canal and multi-level car parking complex at Stadium and Palayam junctions. The project for green spaces is renovation of the Mananchira Square.

Water-related projects would be entrusted to the Kerala Water Authority (KWA).

However, the Corporation engineering wing would undertake the activities relating to other projects including green spaces, the sources said.

The share of the Centre will be Rs.35.56 crore while that of the State government Rs.21.34 crore and Kozhikode Corporation Rs.14.26 crore. Overall, Kozhikode will get Rs.836 crore, with the Centre contributing Rs.418 crore, State government Rs.250.80 crore and the civic body Rs.167.20 crore till 2020-21.

THE HINDU