Kochi Officials Scramble to Complete Projects Before Financial Year Ends
With only two months remaining in the current financial year, the district administration in Kochi held an urgent meeting on Saturday. District collector G Priyanka led the gathering, which included people's representatives and various officials. They reviewed the progress of works implemented in Ernakulam and Kunnathunad constituencies using plan funds.
Urgent Calls for Faster Implementation
District collector G Priyanka directly instructed officials to speed up the plan fund implementation process. T J Vinod, MLA, who attended the meeting, strongly emphasized the need to accelerate project execution. The meeting produced clear recommendations for officials to focus intensely on completing projects as quickly as possible.
It also suggested that concerned officials should regularly evaluate the progress of each individual project. The gathering took place in the district collector's chamber. Additional district magistrate Vinod Raj joined the meeting, along with officials from relevant departments.
Specific Projects Under Review
Participants discussed the progress of the Mullassery Canal renovation, which forms part of Operation Breakthrough. This renovation work began more than three years ago and remains unfinished. T J Vinod highlighted the canal's importance, stating that its renovation is crucial to prevent waterlogging in the city.
Similarly, the implementation of the broader Operation Breakthrough project is vital for controlling waterlogging in several city areas. P V Sreenijin, MLA, brought attention to delays in completing certain projects within the Kunnathunad assembly constituency. He notified the collector and other officials about these hold-ups.
Multiple Funding Schemes Evaluated
The meeting evaluated progress across various funding mechanisms:
- The Chief Minister's Rural Road Rehabilitation Scheme
- Projects implemented using the MLA's asset development fund
- Projects executed with special development funds
Officials received a clear mandate to complete all projects within a strict timeframe. The meeting stressed that unless projects finish by March 31, funds for several initiatives may lapse entirely. This creates significant pressure for timely completion.
The district administration now faces a race against the calendar to ensure plan funds translate into completed projects before the financial year concludes.
