The Hindu : Focus on roads, tourism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 17, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Focus on roads, tourism

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI APRIL 16. The Ernakulam District Panchayat (DP) has focused on the construction of new roads and promotion of tourism projects in the district during the year 2003-2004.

The district panchayat budget for this financial year has allocated Rs. 3.37 crores for the construction of roads. The budget has envisaged a revenue of Rs. 20,45,50,000 and total expenses worth Rs.20,14,00,000. A sum of Rs.3.37 crores has been allocated for the development of new roads and as many as 50 new roads will be constructed in various panchayats during this year. The decision to allocate around Rs .4 crores was taken on the basis of the demand by representatives of grama and block panchayats for construction of new roads.

The Ernakulam District Panchayat had earlier allocated funds for the construction of new roads in the Plan programme for the year 2002-2007.

In the tourism sector, funds have been allocated for the modernisation of Ezhattumugam, Kolenchery, Indirachira, Kottayil Kovilakom and Parunthuranchi island.

"The Ernakulam District Panchayat aims at exploring the immense tourism potential of the district. As part of this programme, small tourist boats will be pressed into service at Indirachira. We expect to attract more foreign tourists to these spots," says K.B. Mohammadkutty Master, District Panchayat president.

He said the modernisation of the Cherai beach was completed as a joint project of the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and the Ernakulam District Panchayat recently.

Funds have been set aside for the introduction of new projects in the health sector. An Ayurveda hospital with all modern facilities will be constructed at Kacheripady.

Mr. Mohammadkutty said the new hospital would be completed on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis. "The 15-storeyed building will also house a shopping complex," he adds.

A new homeopathy hospital will come up at Pullepady as part of the investment in the health sector, he says. The District Panchayat has allocated Rs.25 lakhs for this project.

The budget has also allocated funds for the implementation of drinking water supply projects. Around Rs.50,62,500 will be utilised for drinking water supply programmes in the district during this financial year.

The new projects will be implemented in association with the grama panchayats. The District Panchayat has also envisaged a programme for cleaning of wells and establishment of pipelines as part of the drinking water supply programme.

As many as 67 new drinking water supply projects will be implemented this year. Mr. Mohammadkutty said the District Panchayat would encourage the introduction of small-scale projects in the drinking water supply sector.

An amount of Rs.25 lakhs has been earmarked for various `Kudambasree' units in the district during this financial year. Each Kudambasree unit will receive Rs.5,000 at a function to be held at the Kalamassery town hall tomorrow. The budget has also allocated funds for the construction of 10 new community halls in the district. Around Rs.15 lakhs would be spend for the construction of a community hall in Aikaranadu panchayat.

In the fisheries sector, the projects formulated during the last financial year will continue to be implemented. The budget has allocated funds for the introduction of an aqua clinic in the district. Fish markets will be modernised. Fish landing centres will be established at Ezhikkara and Murukumpadam. Sarvasiksha Abhiyan' programme in the educational sector during this year. Funds will be utilised for repairing damaged schools. Special programmes to improve the performance of teachers will also be introduced.

A sum of Rs.40 lakhs will be spent for the welfare of farmers and Rs.50 lakhs for irrigation projects. Around Rs.50 lakhs would be spent for soil protection while Rs.25 lakhs would be utilised for animal welfare. A sum of Rs.80 lakhs has been earmarked for social welfare and Rs.66 lakhs for the welfare of women.

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