Opposition questions Aluva turf project over maintenance costs

Kochi: A proposal to convert Aluva municipal ground into an artificial sports turf using MP funds has received fresh objections with opposition councillors questioning absence of a transparent operational framework and raising concerns over long-term financial burden of maintaining the facility.The proposed project, estimated at Rs 1.5 crore, is to be implemented using MP fund allocation of Rajya Sabha MP Jebi Mather. While the capital cost would be met through the fund, opposition councillors argued that recurring expenditure for maintenance and operations would have to be borne by the municipality, affecting its already strained finances and delaying essential development works.Leader of opposition Syam Padmanabhan said the municipality had earlier created an open-air public gathering space with the intention of generating maintenance revenue by charging a rent of Rs 5,000 per event.

However, the venue failed to attract sufficient bookings, leaving the municipality without the expected income.“Aluva is one of the municipalities with the lowest own-source revenue. The only significant income comes from stalls set up during Aluva Shivaratri festival, and a major share of that is spent on paying staff salaries,” Padmanabhan said, urging the council to reconsider the project.However, veteran footballers from Aluva, including former national team players, have backed the proposal, saying an artificial turf is essential to provide young footballers with training facilities that match national and international playing standards.

Meanwhile, municipal council convened on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution seeking reinstatement of police aid post at Manappuram, citing a rise in anti-social activities in the area.The meeting also witnessed criticism over municipality’s alleged failure to curb encroachments, unauthorised constructions and roadside vending. Following discussion, the council decided to initiate measures to remove illegal constructions, clear encroachments and regulate unauthorised commercial activities across the town.