Kerala   

Work on Attukal township to begin this year

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac announced in his budget speech on Thursday that the construction of the Attukal township project would take off this year.

The much-delayed project envisages the development of 20 wards around the Attukal temple. It includes widening of roads, bus bays and parking facilities, augmentation of the water supply and sewerage networks, establishment of an operating centre for the KSRTC, a mini garbage-treatment plant, a mini hospital and a new police station.

Thiruvananthapuram East MLA V. Sivankutty said the township project was designed to spur the development of the whole area around the temple. “It will be a participatory project involving several stakeholders. The Attukal Bhagawathy Temple Trust has committed financial support for the development of the township,” he said.

Mr. Sivankutty said the project, once completed, would obviate the need for the government and the City Corporation to spend a huge amount every year for the Attukal Pongala festival that attracts many thousands of pilgrims.

Mr. Sivankutty said a committee would be constituted to prepare the final master plan for the township. He added that moves were on to secure assistance from the Union government under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

The widening of the main road from Manacaud to Maruthurkadavu bridge and the development of a shopping complex to rehabilitate the traders to be displaced for road widening are the two major components of the project.Former Chief Town Planner A. Kasturi Rangan, who prepared the draft plan, said the development of roads under the project would require a participatory approach. The project is expected to be completed in a phased manner in five years.

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