KOLLAM: During the mass contact programme here on Monday, Chief Minister announced nine major projects for the district. This include projects for labourers in the traditional sectors, ecological conservation, tourism, infrastructure development etc.
Sasthamcotta Lake Conservation
Chandy said that a statutory authority would be formed for the protection of the lake. Terming it as the long pending demand of the panchayats and activists, he said that there would be a four-pronged strategy to protect the lake. The government has sought the consent of the Ministry of Environment and Forest for the action plan. Apart from this, UN agencies would be roped in to assist the conservation efforts. He said that an order has been issued to allocate Rs 19 crore for a drinking water project from Kallada-Kadapuzha river and the Finance Department is expected to give its nod for the project by next week. This project is expected to reduce the intake of water from the lake for the city needs.
Special Package for Alappad
Two projects worth Rs 21 crore would be allotted for the development works in Alappad panchayat which is still affected by the vagaries of the Tsunami.
Rs 10 crore would be allocated for conducting maintanence works of flats constructed under the Tsunami Rehabilitation Plan. Chandy said that the fund would also be used for the educational and social needs of the children in Alappad. The government would spend Rs 5 crore and rest of the amount would be collected from the Corporate Social Responsibility funds of companies and voluntary organisations. Coastal protection of the panchayat would be done in association with IRE and KMML. Rs 11 crore has been allocated for this, he said. Break waters would be constructed for the entire stretch of panchayat facing the threat of high tides.
The government has decided to waive the fee due to the government as the construction is considered as a social service.
The tsunami flat sewage project along Kollam-Karunagappally would also get Rs 7 cr from the CM’s fund. This would benefit 2,000 families in 11 centres along the coast.
Chandy also said that the ESI Medical College in Parippally would be taken over by the State Government with immediate effect after completing procedural steps.
For the industries in the traditional sector, the CM announced a few measures. He assured that steps would be taken to ensure that all cashew factories would function in full swing.
New packages for coir and fisheries sector would be declared considering its development prospects in the district.
A new tourism circuit comprising Thenmala-Ashtamudi-Thangasseri beach has also been mentioned in the new package for the district.
Land for court complex would be provided within a month and five acres of land would be allotted for Kendriya Vidyalaya at Kottarakkara. The CM also said the dispute on railway land at the Pullikkada colony would soon be settled.