City corp fails to utilise funds for waste management projs

Kochi: City corporation utilised only about 1% of total allocated funds for solid waste management in the last two and a half years. The authorities have only seven months to utilise the full amount or else it will lapse by Dec this year.Kochi corporation received Rs 70 crore under Kerala solid waste management project (KSWMP) from state govt in 2023 to transform urban sanitation by strengthening institutional and service delivery systems for solid waste management. But corporation could use only Rs 1 crore so far.Now, corporation authorities are rushing to design projects that can be implemented using KSWMP funds by Dec 2026. "The deadline for utilising funds under the project is Dec 2026. Now, we are preparing projects to maximise fund utilisation. Despite much effort, we could design projects for only Rs 30 crore. Chances are high for remaining funds to be lapsed," said mayor V K Minimol. "Our plan is to procure compactor trucks to transport waste and improve the city's resource recovery facilities (RRFs). We will also procure mini-trucks to shift waste from primary collection points. Though there are suggestions to procure more refuse compactor trucks, bur we can't. If we procure more trucks, we will have to mobilise funds for its maintenance. It will become a huge liability for us," she added.KSWMP is funded by the World Bank, and there were set norms for designing projects. Though the last council led by former mayor M Anil Kumar planned to implement various waste management projects using KSWMP funds, it didn't take off. "We had submitted proposals for constructing two RRFs and three-wheelers for collecting waste from primary collection centres. We also sought funding for Brahmapuram master plan from KSWMP. But the proposals weren't approved. So we couldn't utilise the funds," said Kumar.Corporation needs a lot of funds for implementing various waste management projects and is running short of funds for periodical maintenance of its infrastructure facilities like roads. "The Smart City project by Union govt was helpful in implementing various infrastructure projects and their upkeep. But its Smart City has ended. Now, we have to mobilise funds for the maintenance of various machines procured by Cochin Smart Mission Ltd, the special purpose vehicle for Smart City, to desilt city canals and drains," said M G Aristotle, councillor and finance standing committee member. "Now, a new govt has assumed office. We will approach state govt to explore the possibilities of including more projects under KSWMP," he added.INFO In financial troubleKochi corporation owes contractors around Rs 60crRs 58cr - Corp needs to maintain machines procured for canal and drainage cleaning in next 5 yearsCorp planning to approach state govt for funds to implement infrastructure projects, including Thammanam-Pullepady road wideningRs 258 cr - Corp's own fund for 2024-25Rs 98.58 cr - Plan fund allocated to Kochi corp during 2025-26