Kochi: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has refused to consider the Kochi Corporation’s request to reconsider the restoration rate fixed by the government for road digging for laying pipeline as part of city gas project.
During a meeting, he made it clear to the all-party delegation from the city corporation that the civic body should comply with the state government’s decision to give concession on road restoration charge to Adani Gas Pvt Ltd. “He said that road restoration charge fixed for the city gas project is applicable for all local bodies and no special consideration can be given to the city corporation. Based on the chief minister’s instruction, the proposal will be forwarded to the corporation council for approval,” said mayor Soumini Jain.
The all party delegation called on Mr Vijayan on Wednesday urging him to revise the road restoration charge. The delegation including Hibi Eden MLA, K.J. Maxi MLA, C.M Dinesh Mani, and representatives of various political parties from the corporation council held discussions with the chief minister. Meanwhile, Mr Eden submitted a letter to the chief minister against the government’s decision to give concession in restoration charge of roads to the Adanis.
In the letter, he pointed out that more than 890 km of city road had to be cut at a width of 1.5-metre and 6-feet depth which will completely damage the road. Hence, restoration charge of Rs 3,685.56 for one square metre will be grossly inadequate to repair the road, he observed. “Though city gas project will beneficial for the city residents, Adani Gas is implementing the project on a commercial basis. And the company may not give the benefit of the concession given by the government to the consumers,” he said.
