Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Major allocation for energy, irrigation

Thiruvananthapuram: Finance Minister Thomas Isaac said in the Budget speech that almost equal importance was given in the Plan for raising the generation capacity and for strengthening the transmission and distribution system.

Athirappilly was the major project to be started during the fiscal year. He set apart Rs.60 crore for it. The other new projects were Chimoni, Achencoil, Chinnar and Peechi. A sum of Rs.196.50 crore was earmarked for 21 existing schemes. The highest allocation of Rs.37.75 crore was made for the Pallivasal Extension project.

A sum of Rs.160 crore was provided for transmission lines and 41 sub-stations. Four lakh service connections were proposed to be given. Three lakh streetlights would also installed.

The Minister described Kerala’s involvement in the pit head thermal coal based generation station at Baitharani West Coal Block in Orissa as the most important project in the power sector. A sum of Rs.20 crore was set apart as share capital for the company being set up for the purpose.

The development programme in the non-conventional energy sector would get Rs.9 crore and the Integrated Rural Energy Development Rs.10 crore .

A provision of Rs.257 crore was made for irrigation and sea wall construction. A sum of Rs.31 crore would be provided for the Karappuzha project started in 1978 on an initial estimate of Rs 7.6 cr and on which Rs 235 cr had been spent so far and Rs 8 cr for completing the Idamalayar project started on an estimate of Rs 17.80 cr in 1981 and on which Rs 223 cr had been incurred so far.

The Banasura Sagar project would get Rs.11 crore and the Chamravattton Regulator-cum-Bridge Scheme started in 1999, Rs.21 crore. The renovation and completion of the Chittoorpuzha, Kanjirapuzha and Malampuzha irrigation schemes would get Rs.29 crore and the Muvattupuzha Valley Project Rs.12 crore.

The Minister also announced the allocation of Rs.58 crore for the construction of sea walls and a special assistance of Rs.1 crore to KERI in connection with its golden jubilee. The Meenachil river basin plan would be recast as the present project was not technically and financially feasible.

The announcements made in the area of ports included the Vizhinjam Deep Sea International Container Transhipment Terminal, Cargo port and marina in Alappuzha, renovation of the sea bridge at Alappuzha and cargo berth at Thankassery.

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