Kochi has no ‘plan’

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The central government project that provided decent public transport in the city which included 42 low floor Volvo AC buses and 80 non-AC ones is now in danger.

The reason is the failure of the city corporation to submit a revised city development plan (CDP) for the second phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

The Centre has made it clear that funds would not be provided to those states which failed to submit the CDP and detailed project reports (DPRs).

During Phase 1, the Centre had allocated Rs 613.91 crore to the corporation and if feasible project proposals are submitted, the corporation can get more this time.

Apart from the indefinite delay in preparing project proposals and CDP, the state government’s laxity in constituting a state municipal service, mandatory for receiving the funds in Phase 2, is also a matter of concern. This is happening when cities in other states are in the final stage of preparing the CDP.

“In neighbouring Tamil Nadu, most of the city corporations have already prepared the CDP with details of resources, suggestions related to issues, strategies, projects and priorities.

But, we have not yet identified a consultant to prepare the CDP,” said corporation town planning committee chairman KJ Sohan.

The funds will be channelised through the state government and it is the Kerala State Urban Development Project state office which is the authorised agency to shortlist the consultants for CDP preparation.