The Thrissur city Corporation’s budget for the 2018-19 financial year has kindled hopes of infrastructure development of the city.
The budget, presented by Deputy Mayor Beena Murali on Tuesday, proposes to modernise all roads in the corporation limits to ensure congestion-free traffic.
It also envisages water connection to all houses and to take over drinking water distribution from the Kerala Water Authority.
“A time-bound plan will be chalked out for road development in the next three years by converging the MLA-MP funds, the State and Centre funds, People’s Plan fund, Plan fund, and other loans. Surveys of canals will be held and encroachments will be evicted,” said the Deputy Mayor.
Junction development has been given priority in the budget.
Main city junctions, including Patturaikkal, Kokkale, Ollur, Lalur, West Fort, East Fort, Ikkanda Warrier, Veliyannur, Aswani, Chembukkavu, and Olarikkara will be developed.
Flyovers have been proposed at Punkunnam, lkkanda Warier Junction, Fatima Nagar, Aswini, and Viyyur. Subways and foot overbridges will be built at Jubilee Mission, Mother Hospital, Metro Hospital, Sakthan Bus Stand, North Bus Stand, St. Thomas College, and near railway station. Multi-level parking facilities will be set up at convenient places.
Treatment plant
The budget has detailed plans for Amrutham project.
A new water treatment plant will be set up at Peechi for ensuring adequate drinking water for all households in the Corporation limits under the project.
As part of efforts to conserve water, all open wells will be recharged. Rainwater harvesting tanks will also be set up.
Free water connection will be given to poor families.
Steps will be initiated to connect Vanchikulam to the national waterway.
The government has allocated ₹3 crore for the project.
Sporting facilities
In addition to the proposed international sports complex at Lalur, the Corporation stadium will be made into a multi-purpose stadium. All playgrounds in the Corporation limits will be developed.
Haritha Clubs will be started for environmental conservation. Total computerisation will be implemented for a transparent and corruption-free administration.
Open air theatre
An amount of ₹15 crore has been earmarked for building shopping complexes and ₹50 lakh for the EMS open air theatre.
A new master plan will be prepared for the development of Sakthan Nagar and the city Corporation office will be shifted to Sakthan Nagar.
Another area of focus is housing. An amount of ₹25 lakh has been earmarked for setting up breast-feeding centres.
The budget shows a revenue of ₹725.4 crore, expenditure of ₹700.59 crore, and a surplus of ₹24.8 crore. Mayor Ajitha Jayarajan presided.
Gagged protest
Meanwhile, the BJP councillors organised a gagged protest during the budget presentation.
They demanded action against those involved in the death of a patient at the General Hospital who died allegedly following interruption in oxygen supply.
