The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has expressed displeasure over the tardy implementation of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut) project, one of the Centre’s flagship progammes for improving urban development, in Kozhikode city.
An official source said tenders had neither been floated nor awarded for projects such as strengthening existing infrastructure facilities, quality improvement under the Kerala Water Authority, and the integrated laying of drinking water pipe lines in 10 zones.
A sewerage system project and a treatment plant at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital are still on paper. Kozhikode is one of the cities in the State that does not have sewerage and proper drainage systems.
The proposals have been submitted under five components such as water supply, sewerage, storm water drains, transport and development of green spaces and parks with special provision for meeting the needs of children. However, many of the projects envisaged during the fiscal 2015-16 are moving at a slow pace even as the State Mission Management Unit for Smart Cities Mission submitted an Annual Action Plan for 2017-2020.
No consultancy
A major reason for the delay in the execution of projects is that the State does not have an exclusive project design and management consultancy, resulting in either the reworking or cancelling of the schemes.
The State Annual Action Plan for 2017-2018 has envisaged schemes totalling ₹113.5 crores for the city. Approvals have already been secured for the implementation of projects worth ₹71.03 crore for 2015-16 and ₹90.10 crore for 2016-17. The share of the government and the local urban body will be 30% and 20% respectively,
The delay in construction of drains has led to flooding and waterlogging in many parts of the city during the monsoon.
The civic body has been unable to find a solution to the vexing problems though many agencies through funding from both the Centre and State governments have been trying to mitigate the problem.
