The Kochi Corporation authorities will soon submit a proposal before the Centre to include the construction of flyovers at Vyttila, Palarivattom and Kundannoor under the additional funding scheme announced for Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) projects.
The decision was taken by the Kochi Corporation Council on Friday. A resolution in this regard was also passed by the council. The estimated cost for the flyovers as per the initial assessment is Rs 67 crore for Palarivattom, Rs 73 crore for Kundannoor and `93 crore for Vyttila. “For JNNURM projects, the Union Government will provide 50 per cent of the total project cost. Out of the remaining 50 per cent, the State will provide 30 per cent while the respective local bodies will have to bear 20 per cent. Since Kochi Corporation is not in a financial position to contribute the 20 per cent, we will request the state government to bear our share too. If the State is ready ready to pump in our share, we will be able to make the JNNURM funds available for the project,” said Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany.
However, the Centre will not provide funds for land acquisition and the Mayor said the civic body hoped that the state government would bear the cost of the land acquisition. Apart from the flyover projects, some other key infrastructure projects will also be submitted before the Centre for consideration under the additional funding package for JNNURM. These projects include the ambitious Ring Road project mooted by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). The GCDA has already earmarked `6 crore for the first phase of the project which will cover 10.50-km between Chatiath and Varapuzha. The road will pass through Vaduthala, Pachalam and Kadamakudy.
In order to develop a feeder system to the Kochi Metro Rail, the Corporation will also submit a project to boost the existing water transport network. The Broadway renovation project and Heritage Conservation project for Fort Kochi and Mattanchery will also be submitted under additional funding scheme. A drainage system for East Kochi and the sewage treatment plant are the other major projects.