CMC presents budget for 2011:

Cleaner, better Colombo - the aim

by Ranil Wijayapala

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) the largest local body in the country which was dissolved early last year, presented its budget for 2011 on Monday with the intention of bringing visible changes to the city through the improvement of infrastructure in Colombo to cater to the needs of city dwellers.

As the Council is already dissolved, Special Commissioner Omar Kamil presented the budget in the presence of the Department Heads and senior officials of the CMC on Monday morning.

“Transparency of the city administration was maintained despite the dissolution of the Council, by taking the endorsement of the officials of the CMC although President Mahinda Rajapaksa had given full powers to the Special Commissioner to act on his own”, Kamil said.

According to Kamil, the budget for 2011 was presented with an anticipated income of Rs. 6.848 billion and an anticipated expenditure of Rs. 6.846 billion with a surplus income of Rs. 1.6 million.

“The budget proposals for 2011 aim at bringing about visible changes in the city, making it greener and cleaner”, Kamil said.

To make this goal a reality, the Council has allocated a major share of its expenditure, Rs.1.5 billion, for capital outlay and infrastructure facilities.

“A large sum of money has been set apart for the collection and disposal of garbage while funds have also been allocated for the improvement and rehabilitation of roads”, Kamil said. Rs.275 million has been allocated for this purpose.

Roads which have been neglected over the past few years will be improved. The roads which are to be rehabilitated with the allocation of funds are Bloemendhal Road, Polhengoda Road (stage II), Bodhiraja Mawatha, Kettarama Temple Road, Poorvarama Mawatha, High Level Road and Colambage Mawatha.

“The development of the Galle Road from Bambalapitiya to Kollupitiya has been given priority with the allocation of Rs.80 million”, Kamil explained.

Pedestrian safety

Safety of pedestrians, the installation of traffic control systems at six more junctions, installation of Pelican crossings and street lighting will be given prime attention as the Council expects to make major changes in the city road network.

Rs. 88 million has been allocated for the improvement and reconstruction of sewers in the city.

Reconstruction of the existing sewer lines and pumping station at Dam Street, de-silting and improving sewer lines in Wasala Road, Dam Street, Jumma Masjid and Police Park Avenue and improvement of the pumping station at Summitpura are the projects included.

To ease flooding in the city, a sum of Rs.60 million has been allocated.

“Reconstruction of roadside waterways along Bloemendhal Road, construction of the drain around the Ratnam playground, development of the storm water system at School Lane, Dematagoda, repair of Siri Dhamma Mawatta canal bank and repair of the Model Farm Devi Balika flood irrigation system are the main projects to be implemented under this program”, Kamil explained.

“These things will certainly improve infrastructure facilities in the city”, he said.

Rs.100 million has been allocated for the welfare of over 7,700 staff attached to the CMC.

For the provision of free healthcare for over 800,000 people in the city, Rs.80 million has been set apart in the budget.

The CMC maintains 39 dispensaries to provide its citizens with free medical care and medication.

Upgrading dispensaries

“Funds have also been allocated for the reconstruction and improvement of the existing dispensaries” Kamil said.

“The upgraded dispensaries at Cotta Road, Borella, Kotahena and Zavia Mosque at Maligawatta will be opened for the public this year”, he said.

More than 1,500 under-served settlements will also be given a major boost with the allocation of Rs.50 million to provide them with more utility services and a better environment.

One of the major projects the CMC has undertaken this year is the rehabilitation of the existing sewer line with US$ 100 million assistance extended by the Asian Development Bank.

“Under this project existing sewer systems which are collapsing at various places and five pumping stations will be rehabilitated while sewer lines will be provided for un-sewered areas”, Kamil said. “We intend to get the participation of the private sector for the city beautification project as we intend to beautify the city to make it a public attraction in 2011”, he said.

“It was after an exhaustive effort that the Council was taken back to the track of development due to weak political leadership given in the past. We hope to accelerate the development drive in the city throughout the year 2011”, he explained.