Before budget, key projects start rolling

Thiruvananthapuram: Corporation has set in motion some key projects which had figured in the previous budget ahead of budget for 2020-21. The civic body issued tenders for Mayor’s bhavan at Kunnukuzhy and Elders’ corner, a pet project of the town planning standing committee at a cumulative estimate of Rs 3.6 crore.
Mayor's bhavan had repeatedly surfaced in corporation budgets and works standing committee had given its nod to call tenders and initiate the construction process before the end of the present council’s tenure. Elders’ corner is being planned at Kowdiar, Vazhuthacaud, Kannammoola, Peroorkada, Kulathur, Palayam, Pettah and Harbour wards. Chairman of town planning committee Palayam Rajan said some of the elders’ corner will come up near children’s park.
“Elders’ corner is being planned with space for recreation, reading and chit-chat. There will be facilities for listening to music or even watching television. The corner will be sheltered and project will be implemented using Rs 50 lakh,” he said.
Corporation has set a deadline of March for the completion of elders’ corner. The civic body had recently completed revamp of children’s park in many wards and spaces designated as Elders’ corner will come up near the revamped children’s park. “People going for morning and evening walk can also come to elders’ corner and spend some quality time with their peers. There would also be toilet facilities,” Rajan said.
Mayor’s bhavan is being planned with facilities for accommodation, hosting events and meetings especially meetings of members of mayor’s chamber. Tenders have been called for setting up swap shops in city. Corporation had earlier opened a swap shop in Kazhakkoottam during the tenure of previous mayor V K Prasanth.
The swap shop will feature three different categories; electrical and electronic appliances and gadgets, dress materials and toys. There would be conditions to put up items for sale; electrical appliances shall be fully functional, dress materials must be washed, dried and neatly pressed and toys must be useful. Any other item, which could be useful for others, can be put up for sale.
Corporation and Suchitwa mission have been mulling over one-day shops in the city modelled on garage sale, where private individuals can sell used goods. Stalls will be conducted similar to e-waste collection centres which has been a massive success in the city till date. The civic body has gone for this idea in the wake of a retail chain dumping rejects which they had collected from people in exchange for discount coupons in a private property. Used bags, shoes, sandals and books in usable condition can also be collected in swap shops.