The Kozhikode Corporation is determined to complete some of the projects for which it has faced criticism over the years. Deputy mayor CP Musafar Ahmed, in his budget presentation, made it clear that the corporation will go ahead with the sewage treatment plant projects at Kothi and Avikkal Thodu, making every effort to pacify the locals who are against them.
The project to protect Paropadi wetlands through public-private partnership had faced stiff opposition when it was introduced in the last budget. But the same project has made it into the new budget as well. Similar is the case with the proposal to develop the Muthalakkulam ground, where an underground parking facility was proposed a few years ago. Laundry workers who have made Muthalakkulam their workplace over the years raised concerns about the project. The corporation plans to introduce modern washing machines to attract new generation to the endangered profession.
Over the past few decades every corporation council has made efforts to develop the Connolly Canal, but not much has come of it. The Canal City project is funded by the state to make the Connolly Canal suitable for tourism and transportation. The project is expected to end waterlogging in many parts of the city.
Bus stand projects at Meenchanda and Medical College have found a place in every budget in the last decade. The corporation is hopeful that the projects can be started immediately. The deputy mayor said that the medical college bus stand would be set up in build-on-operate mode, while the detailed project report for the Meenchanda bus stand could be ready in a few months.
The state-of-the-art slaughterhouse at Kothi is another project pending for almost a decade. The project is being funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board and has received clearance from the Pollution Control Board. The corporation hopes to complete the project this year.