KOCHI: The Kochi Corporation annual budget, to be presented on Tuesday, will be the second annual budget of the UDF-led council. The budget for 2012-13 that will be presented by Deputy Mayor B Bhadra is expected to give foremost priority to the implementation of e-governance project, special allocations for development of government schools under the Corporation limit, slum development under Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) and the annuity scheme for roads.Meanwhile, experts are of the opinion that the budget should be prepared with a sense of reality. “The civic administrators usually come up with a budget that will not go in proportion with the annual turnover of the Corporation. At least from this year they should show that sense of reality. If they come up with proposals worth crores which are not at all feasible, there is no use in pinning hopes on the budget,” say experts.Experts add that the provisions to meet the basic requirements of the city should be included in the budget.Waste DisposalThough they made various provisions in earlier budgets, a sustainable disposal mechanism for solid waste still appears a distant dream for Kochi. With Brahmapuram Solid Waste Treatment Plant becoming defunct, heaps of garbage are piled up at the existing plant. The Corporation budget for 2012-13 is expected to chalk out a proper plan to solve the waste menace.“A creative decision has to be taken in the case of waste disposal. We are expecting a more professional approach from the civic body on the Brahmapuram plant issue,” they added.Water loggingThe cleaning of drains and canals are not being done properly. “Now with only two months left for the onset of monsoon, the Corporation should come up with steps to carry out cleaning of big canals and drains that pass through the city. Otherwise, the city will be hit hard by water-logging, say experts.Vyttila Mobility HubThough the Corporation has put forward various proposals for the improvement of Vyttila area, the junction still remains highly congested. The state government has already expressed its willingness to help the civic body in implementing it.Provisions should be made in the budget for quick implementation of a development project for Vyttila Junction. The Mobility Hub here is expected to be the centre of transport activities of the city in the future.RoadsWith the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) completing the repair works of major roads in the city in connection with the proposed Kochi Metro Rail project, now the Corporation can concentrate on side and pocket roads. “With KMRL helping the Corporation, the latter could save funds that they normally use for repair work of major roads,” added experts. Parking Though earlier budgets proposed some projects, parking is still a major problem in the city. The last two budgets proposed multi-storeyed parking facility at Shenoy’s, Thevara and North. But these projects are yet to take off. The Corporation is also planning to introduce a parking by-law for the city. InfrastructureProvisions should be made in the budget for road widening and land acquisition. The desired result of the Pullepady RoB can be reaped only after the widening of Thammanam-Pullepady Road. Steps to speed up the implementation of some key infrastructure projects like Atlantis and Pachalam RoB are also expected in the budget.
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