Kerala: Alappuzha tops in utilisation of AMRUT funds

ALAPPUZHA, Kerala: Kerala’s Alappuzha municipality has topped among all the local bodies in the state in fund utilisation under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme, with 86.85 per cent of the total amount allocated in 2022-23 fiscal year. Soumya Raj, Chairperson of Alappuzha Municipal said that the civic body had spent ₹190.53 crore.

The various tasks that the civic body has done include the replacement of a 300-km long old drinking water pipeline, construction of new water tanks at Alissery, Kommady, Pazhavangadi, and Thathampally at the cost of ₹150.76 crore, de-silting and deepening of the Vadapozhi canal and five connected channels amounting ₹2.2 crore. According to the officials, the developmental work has reduced the threat of waterlogging in Eravukadu, Gurumandiram, Vadackal Beach, and Kuthirapanthi wards. 

The local body has further undertaken various projects including canal and channel bank protection works, construction of pavements, renovation of the park at Valiyachudukkad, construction of a park on Alappuzha beach, septage treatment plants, construction of a bridge connecting Nehru Trophy ward and the mainland, construction of footbridge parallel to Iron bridge, and rejuvenation of public ponds using the AMRUT funds. Officials said that some of the projects had been completed, while others were progressing well.

Alappuzha Municipality is followed by Kannur Corporation with 85.78 per cent and Palakkad Municipality with 83.01 per cent of AMRUT fund utilisation for 2022-23 fiscal year.