The City Corporation will showcase two projects - an advanced solid waste treatment plant at Njeliyanparamba and a modern abattoir at Kothi - at the upcoming State Investors’ Meet in Kochi on January 13 and 14.
The two-day meet is being organised by the Department of Urban Affairs in a bid to attract investments primarily for infrastructure development in the five cities in the State. The aim is to mobilise funds to the tune of Rs.2,000 crore through private entrepreneurs and non-resident Indians.
The civic body has been asked to submit detailed plans for the two projects. Last week, Mayor A.K. Premajam held a meeting with State government officials in Thiruvananthapuram in this regard. Both the projects would be highly beneficial to the residents, she said.
The contract for the solid waste treatment plant had expired in June. But it has been further extended by another two years. Setting up a state-of-the-art plant at Njeliyanparamba would solve some of the issues confronting the Corporation now, Prof. Premajam said.
She said that the new abattoir would be the first-of-its kind in north Kerala or in the State itself confirming to international standards. As of now slaughterhouses in the city adopted traditional methods of butchering and selling meat.
Previously, Minister for Urban Affairs Manjalamkuzhi Ali in June had announced several projects exclusively for the city. This was after the department held discussions with other State government departments.
However, the Corporation was adamant on handing over the land in its possession to private investors.
Besides, the civic body held the view that the department encroached upon its authority.
Some of these projects were a bus terminal-cum commercial complex at Palayam, a satellite bus terminal-cum shopping complex at Meenchanda, a bus terminal at Medical College, music fountain at Kuttichira and beautification of Tali. The Agriculture Department also came up with a project of renovating the urban wholesale agricultural market at Vengeri.
All these projects were envisaged under the private-public participation scheme at the investors’ meet.
Now the civic body has taken the initiative to construct the bus terminals at medical college and Meenchanda. Funds for the purpose have already been sanctioned in the current budget.
Separate funds for the projects such as music fountain at Kuttichira and beautification of Tali have also been obtained from other sources. Subsequently, these projects would not be presented at the investors’ meet.
