The delay in appointing a consultant has held up implementation of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut), a flagship project of the Union Urban Development Ministry, in Kozhikode city.
The State government’s high-powered committee appointed for the purpose is sitting on a file to appoint a consultant, more than a year after the project was launched in the State.
The national-level apex committee of the Centre has already sanctioned ₹71.3 crore for the city under different heads such as water supply (₹17.87 crore), sewage and septage management (₹45.60 crore), drainage (₹6.81 crore), and green spaces (₹85 lakh) this financial year.
A few months ago, at a review meeting, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu had pulled up the State government for the delay in appointing a consultancy. The State had assured the Ministry that the appointment would be made shortly. “The file has still not moved,” a senior government official told The Hindu .
Detailed project reports
The Urban Local Body (ULB), a special unit of the Kozhikode Corporation, has prepared detailed project reports (DPRs) for the renovation of Mananchira Square and the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) for water supply in the city. The preparation of projects for storm water and drainage is in its infancy.
Earlier, the government had proceeded to sign an agreement with WAPCOS-OASIS Consortium for providing end-to-end support for implementing the Amrut project. A high-powered State committee had recommended several consultants including the Vadakara based Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS). However not all could be considered depending on the nature of the components, he said.
In a related development, the Union Ministry of Urban Development has asked the ULB to begin preparing Amrut projects for the next two financial years.
It has approved a ₹90.1-crore project for three parks including Mananchira Square, continuation of water supply, and sewerage projects.
