The Business line 30.04.2013
CM inaugurates Kochi bridge
A landmark: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurates the Kettuvallam
bridge and walkway at Marine Drive in Kochi on Sunday. – Thulasi Kakkat
The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating the
newly-constructed Kettuvallam Bridge and walkway constructed by the
Greater Cochin Development Authority at Marine Drive here.
He highlighted the need for developing infrastructure in
commensurate with the city’s growth. The State government has already
taken preliminary steps to start Kochi-Kasaragod high-speed corridor and
construction of a new flyover at Edappally.
Three more flyovers are also being planned along with the work of Kochi Metro Rail, he said.
Referring to the growing potable water shortage in the
city, he said the State government has plans to launch a State-wide
programme within a year. The Rs 750-crore Japan Drinking Water Project,
specially designed for Kochi, is expected to solve the water crisis to
an extent, he said.
Minister for Urban Affairs Manjalamkuzhi Ali said that
by 2030, the Kochi agglomeration area is expected to be expanded with
the addition of more areas from neighbouring districts, including
Thrissur and Alappuzha. More novel projects should be developed to make
the open spaces more attractive, he said.
Excise Minister K. Babu said the State tovernment should
take steps to form the Kochi Metropolitan Authority soon, which would
help the city attain the status of a metro city.
The 700-metre-long, 12-metre-wide walkway and the ‘Kettuvallam’-shaped bridge is part of Marine Drive beautification project.
