KOCHI: On the day of the State Budget, Kochi is eagerly waiting for fund allocations for various projects that will make drastic changes in the overall development of the city. The civic representatives believe that the state government will look into various prestigious projects, including water metro and metro-related projects. The budget is expected to allocate Rs 150 crore for various projects for the overall infrastructure development of the city.Water MetroThe Department of Water Resources has already announced a Water Metro project for making the canals in the city navigable. The Corporation has handed over seven major canals in the city to the Irrigation Department. As per the primary estimate, the project is expected to cost Rs 30 crore. The allocation for the same is expected to be included in the budget.Land AcquisitionAs the renovation work of the North overbridge is expected to begin soon, the state is likely to allocate funds for acquiring land for the widening of Thammanam-Pullepady Road. Traffic will have to be diverted through the Thammanam-Pullepady Road when the North overbridge is closed for renovation. So the budget is expected to allocate Rs 25 crore for acquiring the land for widening Thammanam-Pullepady Road.About Rs 11 crore is likely to be included in the budget for the acquisition of land for the Maradu Water Treatment Plant project. The project, once completed, will solve the potable water crisis in the city. As per the Rs 201-crore project, the water will be collected from the Muvattupuzha river and will be brought to the water treatment plant in Maradu. The Cabinet meeting had earlier decided to allocate a fund of Rs 48 crore for acquiring land for the construction of Atlantis Rail Overbridge (RoB) which will connect Panampilly Nagar with MG Road. The project is included in the JNNURM but is yet to takeoff owing to lack of funds for land acquisition. This year’s annual budget is expected to allocate the fund.Heritage conservationFor the Fort Kochi-Mattanchery Heritage Conservation project, the Chief Minister had recently promised immediate allocation of funds. The project, which will be completed under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), mainly aims at conserving the heritage buildings at Fort Kochi and Mattanchery. Rs 15 crore is expected to be allocated in the State Budget for the project.Solid Waste TreatmentAs the civic body is planning to construct a new solid waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram, the state government is expected to include the fund allocation for the same. The treatment of solid waste is at a standstill at the existing plant which has stopped functioning. The project will be completed by utilising the JNNURM funds and the state government’s share is expected to be included in the budget.
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