The Kozhikode city Corporation council has allocated Rs.27 crore for development of basic infrastructure in the city, from roads to drinking water to street lights, as part of its annual project plan for 2014-15.
The lion’s share of the project funds will be channelised for the renovation and repair of city roads, to be undertaken in 11 instalments over the year. One of the most important among them is the development of the stretch from P.T. Usha Road, with the starting point at Cherootty Road junction, to Valiyangadi for an estimated Rs.1.10 crore. The stretch will be christened ‘Mathruka Road’ and construction of drainage and footpath and a facelift to the Gandhi Park will be part of the project.
Development of the K.P. Kesava Menon Road, including cleaning and de-silting of drainage at the central market for an estimated Rs.60 lakh, has also found a place in the plan. The civic body has allocated Rs.3.6 crore to clean and cover roadside drainages in the city limits with cement slabs.
As a special gesture as part of the corporation’s golden jubilee celebrations, the council plans to build 150 houses, for two persons each from every ward at a cost of Rs. 2 lakh each. The council has passed the proposal to renovate the Manari Cemetery Road at a cost of Rs.35 lakh.
The two major bus stands in the city – Palayam and Moffussil – also come in the project’s development plans, with Rs.30 lakh being allocated for the former. The Moffussil stand at Mavoor Road will get a new cloakroom and comfort station at a cost of Rs.10.5 lakh.
Street lights The civic body has kept aside a total Rs.2.6 crore for installation and electrification of street lights. This includes purchase of tubes and street light fittings, besides installing streetlights where there are none. The lack of street lights has been a major source of apprehension, especially for those living along the Thondayad bypass. Taking this into consideration, the 2014-15 plan has set aside Rs.1 crore for installing high-mast posts and LED lights in important road crossings, junctions, bazaars and bus sheds.
Also, Rs.41 lakh has been set aside for building toilets in bus stands and public places, Rs.1 crore for construction of anganwadi buildings, Rs.30 lakh for renovation of seven parks within the corporation limits, and construction of a waste treatment plant at Rs.49.5 lakh.
Improvement of Kerala Water Authority’s drinking water connections has received some attention this time with the civic body sparing Rs.1.24 crore to extend the main and subsidiary lines. New public tap connections will get Rs.10 lakh. While Karlithazham mini drinking water scheme has been allocated Rs.50 lakh and other drinking water schemes in various wards will get Rs.2 to 5 lakh as allotments.
Deputy Mayor P.T. Abdul Latheef said the plan was prepared after taking into consideration the suggestions of all ward committees in the Corporation limit.
