The Corporation budget, presented by Mayor V. V. Rajan Chellappa here on Thursday, promises large-scale infrastructure development.
Two flyovers are to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.75 crore — one near Periyar Bus Stand and another at Goriplayam — to ease traffic congestion. A multilevel car parking facility will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 80 crore. A 4D theatre for children has also been planned.
An air-conditioned commercial complex with private participation is being planned near Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Stand. An omni bus stand near Mattuthavani at an estimated cost of Rs. 70 crore and a truck station to park lorries at a cost of Rs. 85 crore are the other announcements in the budget.
Like in the past, the Madurai Corporation had a deficit budget to the tune of Rs. 9.22 crore for 2012-13. This is the first budget of the civic body after the expansion of its limits from 72 wards to 100.
However, this year's budget follows the deficit pattern of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam budgets — Rs. 19.24 crore deficit in 2009-10; Rs. 5.53 crore in 2010-11; and Rs. 8 crore in 2011-12.
The schemes announced in the budget include laying of plastic roads at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.55 crore with State Government subsidy. Under the Integrated Urban Development Scheme, schemes worth of Rs. 139.08 crore will be undertaken for the construction of roads at a cost of Rs.83.14 crore. This includes laying of cement roads at a cost of Rs.5.52 crore, tar roads at Rs. 65.20 crore and other roads at Rs.12.42 crore.
The Corporation has earmarked Rs. 40.13 crore for solid waste management scheme which will include procurement of dumper bins, compactor bins, and tricycles. The scheme would be implemented in a phased manner, the Mayor said.
A daily market would be established near Mattuthavani bus stand at a cost of Rs.83 crore on an area of 26 acres with the help of Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board.
All efforts would be taken to expedite the underground drainage scheme, special road scheme, and all schemes under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Efforts would be taken to make Madurai pollution-free and to put an end to stray dog, pig and mosquito menace.
Fillip for tourism
The local body plans to get funds to the tune of Rs.9 crore from both Central and State governments to boost tourism.
At an estimated cost of Rs. one crore, the route from Mennakshi Sundareswarar Temple to Tirumalai Nayak Mahal would be made a ‘Heritage Walk Path' and beautified. A pathway will be constructed along the ‘girivalam' route around the Tirupparankundram hill at a cost of Rs. 2 crore.
