The Kochi Corporation remains hopeful that its wish list of 12 prominent projects will find due consideration in the maiden Budget of the United Democratic Front government (UDF), to be presented by Chief Minister and Finance Minister V.D. Satheesan on Friday.

A delegation led by Mayor V.K. Minimol had met Mr. Satheesan shortly after he was sworn in and handed over the list of priority projects for the overall development of Kochi and its suburbs. Topping the list is the Indira Canteen, a budget eatery initiative launched by the UDF governing committee in March. Hunger-free Kochi, women’s livelihood, and social enterprise are among the stated objectives of the project.

“We have requested the government to introduce a subsidy component for Indira Canteen, which is currently reliant on corporate social responsibility funding. At present, the gap in funding is being bridged by the Corporation,” said Ms. Minimol.

The long-standing demand for a 190 MLD drinking water treatment plant is another major project on the list. The Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded project will benefit Kochi Corporation, Aluva, Thrikkakara, Kalamassery, Eloor and Maradu municipalities, along with Kumbalam, Kumbalanghi, Chellanam, Varappuzha, Cheranalloor, Kadamakkudi, Mulavukad, Elamkunnappuzha, Njarakkal, Nayarambalam, Keezhmad, Edathala and Choornikkara grama panchayats.

The proposed waste-to-energy project also figures prominently among the Corporation’s requests for State assistance. “We are equally hopeful of three major road projects and two railway overbridge (ROB) projects aimed at improving urban mobility receiving support in the State Budget. These include the Thammanam-Pulleppady Road, the Goshree-Pachalam-Mamangalam Road, the proposed 40-feet road project in Palluruthy, the Atlantis ROB, and the Mattancherry Halt ROB,” said Ms. Minimol.

The Thammanam-Pulleppady Road, along with Seaport-Airport connectivity, has been proposed to ensure east-west urban mobility, while the Goshree-Pachalam-Mamangalam Road is expected to boost N Kochi connectivity. The 40-feet road in Palluruthy is aimed at facilitating internal mobility within West Kochi. The Atlantis ROB is intended to decongest traffic in the heart of the city, while the Mattancherry Halt ROB is expected to improve mobility in West Kochi and give a fillip to tourism.

The Vembanad Lake Rejuvenation Mission is another major project, considered vital for climate resilience and flood mitigation, while aligning with the city’s ambition of evolving into a blue economy.