Schemes for a comprehensive drainage facility for this town, installation of a garbage treatment plant, renovation of the existing drinking water supply pipeline here and improvement of road traffic were among the highlights of the Kannur Municipality's budget for 2010-11 which envisaged a surplus of Rs. 3,81,31,931 as it projects a total revenue of Rs. 50,08,31,931 and a total expenditure of Rs. 46,27,00,000.
The budget presented by municipal vice-chairman and council finance committee chairman M. Purushothaman at the council meeting in Kannur on Thursday lay emphasis on improving infrastructural facilities for the town that is rapidly developing. Fifth budget after the current council took over municipal administration, it also gives priority to implementing various welfare schemes. Mr. Purushothaman in his speech said that four major projects aimed at expanding the infrastructural facilities of the town were proposed to be implemented this year under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDMMST) would receive a Central grant of Rs. 70 crore.
The development of an integrated drainage facility for the town was in its final phase, Mr. Purushothaman said adding that a treatment plant would be set up at Padannappalam along with the facility under the UIDSSMT scheme. The Kerala Water Authority's consultancy wing WASCON was entrusted to submit a detailed project report on the project which is estimated at Rs. 25 crore. An outlay of Rs. 2.5 crore was set apart for the project in the budget. The Rs. 35 crore project for replacing the existing water supply pipeline under the UDMMST would also include construction of new overhead tanks at Kodaparamba, Kazanakotta and Sree Narayana Park, Mr. Purushothaman said adding that this project would be a permanent solution to the drinking water problem in the town. WASCON would submit a detailed project report.
The project for setting up a modern solid waste treatment plant at Chelora was in progress. It was being implemented under the same Central scheme with the technical assistance of the Sanitation Mission, the vice-chairman said. An amount of Rs. 5.5 lakh was earmarked for the project estimated at Rs. 5.5 crore. The budget also sets apart its contribution of Rs. 7.5 lakh for the proposed modern slaughter house at Marakkarkandy estimated at Rs. 75 lakh.
The municipality would spend total Rs. 4.20 crore housing schemes under the Central government's Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme and the State government's EMS Housing Scheme. The budget also allocates Rs. 10 lakh for minorities' welfare activities recommended by the Sachaar Commission. Another Rs. 10 lakh has been earmarked for construction of classrooms in higher/vocational higher secondary schools under the municipality.
The uplift of road traffic facilities envisaged in the budget includes various projects such as a bypass road linking Kizhuthalli, Chovva Spinning Mill, Ayikkara and Chalad, widening of Thayatheru-Kannur city road, installation of traffic lights and construction of 18 hi-tech bus waighting shelters through sponsorship, extension of footpath renovation scheme to the Fort Road and Station Road. The budget apportions Rs. 20 lakh for the works and another Rs. 10 lakh for the preliminary works for constructing a new flyover here.
An amount of Rs. 1.25 crore has been earmarked for conservation of drinking water resources including Anakkulam here. The other highlights of the budget includes a Rs. 15 lakh project for constructing a comfort station for women in collaboration with the Kerala State Women's Development Corporation, allocation of Rs. 1 crore for new municipal office construction and Rs. 30 lakh for construction of the new Town Hall.
Mr. Purushothaman said that the project for computerising the municipal office was in its final phase. Once the project was completed, various municipal taxes could be remitted online, he said.
Municipal chairman B.P. Farooque chaired the council meeting.
