Thiruvananthapuram: The budget speech has few and sparing mentions of projects to be implemented in the capital city. An international seminar on alternative construction methods in connection with the centenary celebrations of Laurie Baker, which got allocated Rs 50 lakh, is one. Kattakkada Watershed Management Project is praised in the speech. However, there is some relief in a slew of small infrastructural projects, apart from Rs 200 crores set aside for the model road being built between Mannanthala and Powdikonam.
The amount of Rs 15 crore for the revival of Thettiyar canal, which is being polluted by various institutions in and around Technopark, offers hope to people living along its side. The renovation of a portion of Amayizhanchan canal from Kannammoola to Akkulam has been allocated Rs 25 crore. A protective wall will be built for Amayizhanchan canal spending Rs 25 crore. The budget proposes to build a patient-friendly multi-storey building with free parking facility on a compound owned by social justice department at Kumarapuram.
The sewage treatment plant at Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, has been allocated Rs 25 crore. A shopping complex each on Sreekaryam Market compound, on Chenkottukonam market compound and Chandavila market compound have been allocated Rs 25 crore, Rs 10 crore and Rs 10 crore respectively. An SC-ST women’s training centre at Akkulam-Veli Tourist Centre is planned. It has been allocated Rs 11 crore. However, the budget does not talk about She Lodge, even though it was mooted last year. The corporation has been thinking of using part of the ladies’ hostel at Sreekanteswaram for She Lodge. The idea is to offer accommodation to women who are travelling to the capital city.
While Thiruvanantha- puram was one of the districts to endure a scorching summer and a severe water shortage, the budget speech did not mention Neyyar Alternative Source Water Supply Project. Last year, the project was allocated Rs 150 crores. KWA officials told DC that the Detailed Engineering Report of the project had been submitted. Though the project is crucial, considering the little rainfall the capital got in this monsoon, little has moved forward in this regard. The museums of Thiruvananthapuram have got allocations – Rs 17 crore earmarked for KSSTM; Rs 6.5 crore for various museums including the Napier museum.
