KOCHI: The annual budget of the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), with focus on infrastructure development, was presented at its executive council meeting here on Tuesday.
The Budget, the last one to be presented during the tenure of GCDA chairman N Venugopal, highlights 15 key projects. They include both new projects and those carried forward from the earlier Budgets.
The Rs 31.61-crore surplus Budget projects an income of Rs 243.38 crore and expenditure of Rs 21.77 crore.
Briefing the media, Venugopal said the GCDA had completed some the projects mooted in the earlier Budgets, and commenced some other projects. "We have prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for renovation of the Kaloor Market. The existing building is in a dilapidated condition. Our plan is to construct a modern market with waste treatment facility and a water treatment plant. Separate stalls will be set up for fish, meat and vegetable. An ATP counter and a shopping mall are also planned at the market. Also, we have reached a consensus with the Kochi Corporation authorities for rehabilitation of the vendors at the market to a facility near Deshabhimani Junction," he said.
According to Vanugopal, land acquisition for extension of the Chilavannoor Bund Road to Chambakkara is progressing. "A total of 27 cents of land has already been acquired, and negotiation is on with the other land owners. The road, along with the proposed bridge over the canal at the eastern entry, will fulfil Kochiites' dream of having a parallel road to Sahodaran Ayyappan Road," added Venugopal.