KOCHI: Riding high on the metropolitan wave, Kochi is set to get into a chic attire. Satellite Township, Logistics centre, Marine Drive development, International Trade Centre and a Logistic Centre are among the various projects focussed by the Greater Cochin Development Authority in its ambitious ‘Vision 2030’. The preliminary meeting for ‘Vision 2030’ convened by the GCDA on Monday discussed the development potential of the city. It was attended by 15 members, including Collector Sheik Pareeth, former Collector S Krishnakumar, former GCDA chairmen Balachandran and Joseph Thomas, and architect of Marine Drive Kuldip Singh. The participants were of the opinion that Vision 2030 should focus on people-oriented development programmes. Krishnakumar said that it was after 30 long years that the GCDA was thinking of a development agenda, which was a welcome move. He also called for merging Goshree Islands Development Authority with the GCDA and strengthening GCDA. GCDA chairman N Venugopal said the phase 2 of Marine Drive Scheme proposes to set up a world trade centre, an international convention centre and entertainment zone. Another proposal is satellite townships. “Such townships are planned at Alangad, Puthencruz, Nedumbassery and Kureekkad,” Venugopal said. Kuldip Singh laid stress on the environmental aspect for all development works. He said the soil that had been dredged for LNG could be used in the development of Marine Drive. Decentralisation of development activities was the need of the hour, he said. The GCDA proposed eight division centres at Kaloor, Kadavanthara, Tripunithura, Rameshwaram, Palluruthy, Thrikkakara, Cheranalloor and Elamkunnappuzha. Balachandran and Joseph Thomas gave thrust to the basic amenities of the city. They also called for a ‘master plan 2030’. Venugopal said that an outer ring road, aimed at de-congesting the city, was another important project. “The proposal is to develop a 64-km four-lane access-controlled road connecting the NH 47, airport and seaport from Marine Drive to Kumbalam,” he said With ICTT, LNG terminal and other industrial establishments coming up, Venugopal said there was a need for a Logistic Centre to come up on the 40 hectares of land lying close to rail-road connectivity in Kalamassery. There were also proposals for developing a world class entertainment zone on CMDS Maidan, which would have an oceanarium, dolphinarium and laser shows. The GCDA was also for creating a land bank to make the optimum use of land. Another proposal was to set up a permanent exhibition centre near the Jawaharlal Nehru international stadium at Kaloor. The opinions and proposals that had come up in the preliminary round of talks would be discussed in the second phase of meeting, that comprises MPs and MLAs from the district and chairmen and presidents of nearby municipalities and panchayats. “After all these meetings, we would have a three-day workshop in July or August to be attended by a leading town planner in the country. Ministers and officials would also be part of the workshop,” he said.
Comments
0 comment