In an attempt to ensure equitable development in all parts of the city, the civic administration has announced a special package for West Kochi.
The area would get projects worth Rs. 10 crore for solving water logging, replacement of water supply pipelines and other schemes. A sewerage treatment plant will be set up in West Kochi and the practice of draining waste water to the canals will be ended. The water supply pipelines between Bristo Road and eastern part of Mattanchery Bridge would be replaced using funds earmarked for the region, the Budget promised.
The corporation has set apart Rs. 10 lakh for preparing a project report on Edakochi Sustainable Development Project. The civic body hopes to identify at least 30 acres in the area and construct high-rises there. Relaxation on building rules will be sought for the project, which will be implemented in PPP mode with the support of agencies like INKEL.
A spice museum will be established at Mattanchery and the Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development of the Kochi Corporation will initiate the work.
The centre will be allotted Rs. 20 lakh for coordinating the various heritage conservation projects proposed in the city including the Conservation and Development Plan for Heritage Zone of Fort Kochi and Mattanchery.
It will also complete the heritage base map of the city, the Budget has assured.
Libraries will get a budgetary support of Rs. 12 lakh and the centre has been put in charge of its management. The agency will coordinate the activities of the libraries under the supervision of the standing committees concerned.
Renovation of public buildings in the city will get a financial allocation of Rs. 4 crore. The contributions from the MLA fund of Benny Behannan will be used for the Information Technology Complex proposed at the one acre holding of the corporation at Edappally.
