The Hindu    17.08.2012

Plan to turn Kochi into global city

Setting its dream really big, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is working towards making Kochi a ‘Global City’.

The
idea is to tap unique possibilities of the city and evolve a
comprehensive plan to utilise its features like Marine Drive, Jawaharlal
Nehru International Stadium, SmartCity, Cochin Port, LNG Terminal,
Cochin International Airport and others. The Authority is presently
working on 20-odd projects to place the city on the highway to future.

During
the first phase of this attempt, the extension of the Marine Drive and
completion of the Ring Road projects have been listed. The second phase
includes developing 250 hectares and build trade centre, logistics
centre, convention centre, amusement park and transport hub.

A
stretch of Ring Road will connect Chathiath to Madavana, areas covered
in the second phase extension of the Marine Drive. When completed, the
Ring Road will touch main city points like Aroor, National Highways 47
and 17, Airport Seaport Road and Cochin International Airport.

It
has been conceived as the major exit route for traffic in the city and
is expected to take a major load off the arterial roads in the city. The
preliminary studies regarding the general alignment of the road have
been done.

Another key project being planned by the
GCDA is the Hygia Valley project, which is a health city being developed
at 250 acres near Tripunithura Kaniyavali Canal. The Rs. 1200-crore
project is expected to give a boost to health tourism and will feature
parks, playgrounds, boat jetty, helipad and walkways. The scheme also
includes provision for rehabilitating those displaced for the project.

A
special township project is being planned to tap the tourism potential
of Chellenam area without hampering the fisheries sector. The proposed
township is being worked out in 250 acres. The area already has a
Sustainable Agri-tourism Village project along with Kumbalanghi.