Mayor Soumini Jain on Monday defended the Chilavannur cycle track project, stating that it was cleared by high-level committees of the State.
There have been protests by environmentalists against the project, which is alleged to be violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, and a stop memo has been issued by the District Collector.
Ms. Jain said opposition to the project had been raised only by a section, and that it was an innovative project that people would be proud of.
The ₹9.3-crore project floated by the Kochi Corporation as part of the Amrut scheme proposes the construction of a cycle track and walkway across the Chilavannur backwaters.
“The State Level Technical Committee and the State Level High Power Committee have approved and complimented the project proposal as innovative. The project, which was proposed on the wetland near the backwaters, has been altered as it is difficult to evacuate the extensive encroachments along the banks of the waterbody. Land acquisition is also a challenge. According to the current plan, an elevated structure with a 2-metre-wide cycle track and a 2-metre-wide walkway will be constructed through the backwaters. The bund constructed across the backwaters is temporary which will be demolished after the construction of the elevated structure,” said the Mayor.
The Chilavannur Samrakshana Samiti had earlier raised apprehensions about the project, but it was convinced after learning the details, she said.
The civic body has applied to the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority for clearance. “The authority is checking whether the project comes under the purview of CRZ norms,” she added.
Ms. Jain said the project envisaged easy access for residents of Ponnurunni, Kadavanthra, and Chilavannur to the Kochi metro station at Elamkulam.
Other issues
The corporation will approach the Election Commission for relaxation of norms to invite tenders and give work orders for emergency civil works at the Brahmapuram plant.
The Corporation council also took up the issues of removal of silt from canals to the Brahmapuram plant, recruitment of workers for waste collection during night, and renewal of agreement with KSINC for operating ro-ro and ferry boat services.
