Report No. 7 - Implementation of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation in Kerala

What did the audit examine?

The audit examined the implementation of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) in nine cities of Kerala from 2015-16 to 2022-23, focusing on planning, financial management, execution, and monitoring of projects.

Who / what it concerns

Government of Kerala (for nine cities: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur, Alappuzha, Guruvayur, and Palakkad)

What the auditor found

• 27 projects abandoned with project cost of ₹233.55 crore due to inadequate DPRs
• 100 MLD Water Treatment Plant in Kollam idling due to non-completion of raw water pumping main (cost: ₹40.62 crore)
• Four Overhead Service Reservoirs in Kochi, Thrissur, and Palakkad idling (cost: ₹31.51 crore)
• 100% of sewerage coverage not achieved; Kochi and Kannur had only 3% and 1% coverage respectively
• 47% of footpaths constructed without clearing obstacles
• 37% of footpaths not disabled friendly
• 53% of footpaths lacked tactile pavement
• ₹27.92 lakh spent on non-functional musical fountain in Thrissur
• ₹28.22 lakh spent on abandoned park project in Kochi due to lack of permission
• Delays in release of GoI funds by State (43 days to 15 months, average 5.9 months)
• SLTC did not convene meetings for 29 months (Sept 2018-Jan 2021)
• 38 projects not appraised by SLTC as required

Points worth noting

• 27 projects abandoned with ₹233.55 crore cost
• Four Overhead Service Reservoirs idling (₹31.51 crore)
• Kochi and Kannur had only 1-3% sewerage coverage
• 47% of footpaths had obstacles
• Musical fountain in Thrissur non-functional (₹27.92 lakh)
• Park project in Kochi abandoned (₹28.22 lakh)