According to official sources, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will have a ‘Green Budget’ this year with proposals for more electric vehicles, increase in green cover and conversion of most government buildings in the city to solar power. The civic body is set to present the budget for the 2023-24 financial year on March 10. It is also working on a 10-year plan to combat climate change.
One of the proposals with a green focus includes the introduction of electric and hybrid bicycles on city streets, following models already in place in some cities. Initially, it is proposed to introduce around 200 such two-wheelers, which will enable users to pick and drop them at places of their convenience. In most cities, the public access these using a mobile application and a QR code, with some nominal payment.
The corporation is also planning to buy hundred electric vehicles to be used by Harit Karma Sena, which oversees waste management in all hundred wards. The civic body is also expected to procure around 100 electric buses for the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). In addition to the existing fleet of electric autorickshaws, a hundred more are expected to be launched in the next financial year.
An MoU will be signed with the World Resources Institute for investment in materials and technology aimed at reducing heat from buildings. Another plan is to identify public spaces and roads along which green areas can be increased to compensate for the loss of greenery in recent years. More government buildings in the city will be transitioned to solar power in the coming year. Solar power plants have already been installed at Corporation Building, Legislative Assembly, Government Women’s College, Vazuthcaud, Public Library and Kerala University Library at Palayam, and Government Central High School at Attakulangara.