Smart City office opens, Mayor seeks Pinarayi Vijayan help
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city corporation has sought the intervention of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to ensure the coordination of various departments for the speedy and time-bound implementation of various projects taken up under the Smart City initiative.
The Centre has sanctioned Rs 1538 cr worth projects for improving the infrastructure of the state capital. On Friday, Mayor V.K. Prasanth in the presence of Chief Secretary Tom Jose inaugurated the new office of the Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL), the special purpose vehicle formed for the execution of various projects. According to officials, the detailed project report of 25 projects worth Rs 377 crores has been prepared. Of which, the Smart City Board has given administrative sanction for 23 projects worth Rs 124 crores.
An official said that coordination of various departments including Public Works Departm-ent, Kerala Water Auth-ority, Kerala State Elect-ricity Board, Kerala Ro-ad Fund Board are crucial for the time-bound execution of various projects.
“A ministerial-level meeting chaired by CM would help expedite the procedures. Mayor has given a letter to the Chief Minister office in this regard. We hope the meeting would be held soon,” said the official.
According to officials various projects including bus shelters, public toilets, open gym, information kiosks, and drinking water kiosks are fast progressing. The DPR of Palayam market renovation project and the second phase of the smart road would be tabled at the next board meeting to be held on July 10, said a release issued by the Mayor.