The Hindu 13.09.2010
Master plan hopes to make Kochi a metro
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: The draft of the development plan for Kochi City Region provides a concept to develop the city as a global city which could eventually develop it into a metropolitan city.
While the concept starts with making the city an attractive destination for investments from across the country and abroad, specially in the fields of port-related activities, information technology, tourism, health care and trade, the strategy is to develop other areas with similar business potential in the identified sectors so that there is a relief of stress on the city infrastructure due to the floating population that travels every day.
Strict conditions of development would be imposed in the city area so that the infrastructure demands are not found wanting to accommodate the needs and necessities to support the resident population and the already existing business activities.
The new areas identified to be developed would undergo strict planning at all levels of land use and zoning regulations so that the infrastructure development in these areas complements the business potential it holds.
The new areas would be developed to provide all the facilities and amenities that a major city has according to planning standards.
For example, the panchayats of Elamkunnapuzha, Njarackal, Mulavukad and Kadamakudy which are included under the Goshree Island Development Authority (GIDA) would be considered as a single entity in the regional context.
Most of the activities that the strategy specifies are inherent to the region and this is going to be replicated in the new areas that would be developed according to its inherent potential.
For example, heritage and tourism are inherent to Fort Kochi and Mattanchery, Wellingdon Island for port activities, likewise, Chellanam and Kumbalangi would be given equal thrust for fishing and tourism and the area under GIDA would be pushed for port and fishing activities.
As Kochi mainland is known for commerce, institutional, transported related activities and recreation, Cheranelloor and Varapuzha would be given a thrust for recreation and water-front development activities.
Thripunithura has an inherent potential for residential area with heritage being its crowing glory. Likewise, Maradu, Kumbalam and Thiruvamkualm would be provided the necessary boost for residential area. Thrikkakara, Kalamassery and Eloor are known for industries, IT, commerce, institutional and transport-related activities. This can be replicated at Vadavucode-Puthenkurisu area by providing similar amenities.
Such a planning is likely to develop the area into a Metropolitan City and this would necessitate a review of the Development Plan after every five years.
Kochi being a point on three national highways is definitely its strength. While there is immense scope for development of a new bypass to the urban area on the NH 47, there has to be a lot of improvement on NH 49 that is entering the city region. There is also a threat of urban sprawl if development activities are not guided properly along the regional roads.
