Kochi: As the annual budget of the State government for 2018 – 19 is scheduled on February 2, Kochi Mayor Soumini Jain has sought a special project and funds for development projects in the city. A special ‘commercial capital development project’ on the lines of the capital city development scheme mooted for Thiruvananthapuram should be included in the budget for the infrastructure development of Kochi, Ms. Jain urged the government.
“Urban transport development is a major sector for which special funds have to be allotted. Land acquisition for Thammanam – Pullepady Road development has to be given special focus in the budget for which enough funds have to be allocated,” she said. The widening of Thammanam-Pulleppady road significantly reduces traffic congestion in the city. The government had earlier allotted Rs 25 crore for land acquisition which has been entrusted to the district administration.
The Mayor also sought funds for construction of Vaduthala and Vathuruthy railway over bridges. Steps also had to be taken to stop toll collection at Pullepady railway over bridge, she said. The major junctions in the city have to be modernized to international standards for which funds have to be allotted. Last year, Finance minister T.M Thomas Isaac had allocated Rs 236 crore for various development projects in Ernakulam constituency. Though the CPM district committee had submitted a series of proposals to the state government to be considered in the budget, most of them were neglected.
