The Hindu   18.08.2012

GCDA urged to help transform Kochi into a metropolis

The Greater Cochin Development Authority could play a significant role in the transformation of the city to a metropolis.

Summing
up the deliberations held during the last two days at Vision 2030, the
development seminar organised by the GCDA, S. Krishnakumar, former Union
Minister and first chairman of the Authority, said that it was easy for
the Authority to mobilise resources for this.

The
Authority has the options of Public-Private Partnership (PPP), land bank
development or Transfer of Developmental Rights (TDR). The archaic
Kerala Building Rules should be revised to suit the modern requirements.

While
environmental concerns regarding developmental issues need to be
considered, the extremist stands in the name of environment conservation
should be discouraged, he said, adding that the public will
wholeheartedly support any attempt that is transparent and
corruption-free.

Valedictory session

Inaugurating
the valedictory session, V.K. Ebrahim Kunju, Minister for Public Works,
said that shortage of land was the major stumbling block faced by the
Public Works Department in taking up works, especially development of
roads.

This could be solved if the GCDA was willing
to hand over land, as the PWD often found that most of the cost involved
in road development went to land acquisition, he said. The seminar also
highlighted the need for the GCDA to gear up for different
development-oriented components listed in the Jawaharlal Nehru National
Urban Renewal Mission, which could be taken up in association with the
Corporation.

Preparing in advance could save time in implementation of projects once they are approved, it was observed.

Also, the GCDA and the Corporation should have a clear idea about the components either of the bodies are handling.

Even
though nearly four per cent of the national population is in the State,
it could not secure even one percent of the plan fund because of the
absence in proper planning and preparation.

V.D. Satheesan, MLA, presided over the seminar. Anoop Jacob, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, was present.

Welcoming
the guests at the valedictory session, N. Venugopal, chairman of GCDA,
said that the State government would be asked to constitute a permanent
advisory board for planning and implementation of the project.

The
Authority will take up projects like setting up laser show as part of
the Marine Drive extension scheme, cable car and permanent exhibition
centres at Marine Drive and the premises of Jawaharlal Nehru
International Stadium, Kaloor, on priority basis.

Dominic
Presentation, MLA; Tony Chammany, Mayor; and V. Gopalakrishna Pillai,
Senior Town Planner and coordinator of Vision 2030, were also present.