The proposal for developing the western extension of the Sahodaran Ayyappan Road to Foreshore Road appeared to have dropped, but there was no effective follow up on the part of the local on these projects,
The State government also failed to take forward the development of mobility hub, widening of the South overbridge and development of a rail overbridge at Pallimukku to ensure smooth movement of vehicles along Sahodaran Ayyappan Road
On its part, the local body could not fully utilise the funds released by the State government, including the funds for sewage canals and Atlantis rail overbridge programme under the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Programme and the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission respectively.
While admitting that the local body would have to heavily bank on the State government for fulfilling its mandate, M. Anilkumar, CPI (M) leader in the Kochi Corporation, said that both the local body and the State government had failed to pay attention to the development needs of the city.
There is pressure on the civic administration to implement projects, which are beyond the means of the local body. Though the local body had initiated projects for making the city safe for women, such projects need the support of the State government for successful completion
While earmarking funds for city projects, Kochi should be given a preferential treatment considering 60 per cent of the commercial tax of the State is generated from the city, according to the suggestion of deputy mayor B. Bhadra
I know that the cancer institute and the suburban rail project figure on top Mayor Tony Chammany’s wish list for the city. He also said the city needed funds for the acquiring land for Thammanam-Pullepady projects. It is nice to see the mayor being active in this.
Here is what i know; the finance minister K.M. Mani gearing up to present the budget on Friday, the city’s who’s who have their hopes pinned on the budget for funds and infrastructure development and urban transport dreams.