It is that time of the year when the City Corporation authorities are scampering to formulate projects for this year’s budget, which is set to be presented this Friday. While taking stock of the Corporation’s performance in the past financial year, one can see that a handful of projects planned in the budget have been successfully executed, the ball has been set rolling on some others, whereas many are yet to take off.
In a step towards decentralised waste treatment after the closing down of the Vilappilsala plant, two mini biogas plants were opened this year, at Sreekanteswaram and Palayam market. But proposals for 62 high-capacity biogas plants and a few Pattoor model plants are still pending.
No progress could be made in the ‘Parishudham’ project to set up a dairy farm with the help of Kudumbasree in the unused land around the Vilappilsala plant. The ‘Bye bye mosquito’ project did not have the intended reach and is limited to a few wards. The plan to set up slaughterhouses at four wards also will have to be carried over to the next budget.
Housing projectsThe Ambedkar housing project for Scheduled Caste beneficiaries began this year, for which Rs.5 crore was earmarked. A similar project, Malsya Jyothi, for constructing houses for fishing families who own land, was launched in 14 coastal wards.
But the ‘Shanthisaagaram’ project to distribute life jackets and lights to ensure the safety of seafaring fishermen is yet to reach beneficiaries. Welfare Standing Committee Chairperson Palayam Rajan said the funds for the project which were earmarked as part of the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project (KSUDP), had already been handed over to the Matsyafed.
The ‘Snehasanchari’ project to distribute autorickshaws to 100 educated unemployed women is in the implementation stage and is expected to start by March. Till date, 28 women have applied for the scheme.
Help deskAnother proposal from the previous budget, the Vanitha help desk at main centres of the city to offer help with directions to women who travel to and from the city, will become a reality soon.
The first of the counters is likely to be opened near the pre-paid autorickshaw counter at the Thampanoor Railway Station.
Work on a short stay home for women is nearing completion at Sreekandeswaram. Two new pre-paid auto rickshaw counters were opened at Medical College and Pettah.
The ‘Jyothi’ project to install CCTV cameras at major locations to ensure women’s safety is yet to be implemented. The Corporation’s petrol pump for which Rs.1 crore was earmarked did not materialise. Proposed multi-level parking lots in a few locations also have not been set up.
