This story is from November 13, 2018

Another multi-crore project on the anvil for Akkulam

Another multi-crore project on the anvil for Akkulam
Government is set to launch the rejuvenation project at a cost of 128 crore
Thiruvananthapuram: Nine years after the state government launched an ambitious Veli-Akkulam beautification project and drained away crores of rupees without yielding any result, the government is set to launch Akkulam rejuvenation project at a cost of Rs 128 crore.
The detailed project report for the scheme was submitted by Usha Titus, executive chairperson, Akkulam destination management council here on Monday.
The project will be executed by the department of tourism, utilizing Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) funds.
TOI in a series of reports had pointed out how the huge amount spent on dredging of Akkulam lake as part of Veli-Akkulam beautification project had gone unaccounted. Documents obtained through RTI had revealed that the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau in its quick verification (QV) report had detailed about the lapses in implementation of project, however no action was recommended against any of the implementing officials citing that the official had retired.
An answer to the RTI query further revealed that vigilance had not taken any step beyond filing of QV report, although a project that was meant to be completed in 10 months with the simple objective of deepening Akkulam lake went on guzzling crores of rupees and without making any impact.
Scrutiny of documents had revealed that the state government embarked on the Rs 17 crore worth project to dredge nearly 7 lakh cu.m silt from Akkulam lake without having any idea where and how to dispose the huge volume of matter being dredged. The project had so far consumed close to Rs 10 crore and officials who had associated with the project had admitted that it was far from its objectives.
The new project is silent on the money that has been spent on dredging and deepening of the lake for almost a decade. The project mainly aims at cleaning the lake of algae and trash. Waste, including plastic, will be removed and water will be cleaned using recycling method.

An intelligent onsite water quality monitoring system and lab will be installed to check the quality of water. In spots where earth has been piled up, green islands would be created. Bamboo bridge, green bridge, cycle track, corridors and cobbled footpaths are the other components of the scheme.
The main attractions of the Akkulam tourist village phase 2 include a Rs 2 crore worth digital music fountain, a multi-dimensional theatre, cricket bowling pitch, cycle track and walking track.
The park has also undergone a lot of other changes such as art installation, landscaping, artificial water falls, a wide playing arena, a restaurant block and an office block. There were also plans to introduce winch transportation but was dropped owing to cost factor.
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