The draft master plan for the Cochin urban agglomerate is in the final stages of preparation, said Mayor Tony Chammany here on Tuesday.
“The department had prepared a draft plan last year. But the local bodies that fall under the agglomeration area had raised objections to the plan at the joint town-planning committee meet.
“Considering the different opinions, the Town Planning Department is revising the actual draft plan and we expect the modified version to be ready by the year end,” Chammany said at a council meeting.
Denying the allegations raised by the Opposition councillors that the corporation is acting as an orderly of the state government, the Mayor said that the civic body is only following positive politics. “The corporation will not surrender the council’s rights to the government, but will seek its support for all the development activities mooted for the city, irrespective of political differences.The ruling front and the opposition should stand together for our rights,” he said.
Regarding the second phase of Marine Drive expansion and the reclamation of backwaters for the project, the Mayor said that the Town Planning Department will hold discussions with the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) authorities.
“We will make sure that the corporation is represented in all the major development projects carried out in the city, including the Kochi Metro Rail project,” Chammany added.
The Mayor also made it clear that the civic body will not transfer the ownership of its assets to the other departments for the implementation of various development projects.
“For instance, the councillors have raised apprehensions about the handing over of the canals to the Irrigation Department for cleaning. We are not transferring the ownership, but only handing over the canals temporarily, till the proposed work is completed. The corporation team will closely monitor the works,” he said.
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