The Business Line 18.08.2009
Govt mulls ‘Kochi Metropolitan Area’
| Move to raise Greater Kochi to metro status. |
Vinson Kurian
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 17 The State Government is considering the idea of a ‘Kochi Metropolitan area’ by building on the framework of the Kochi Urban Agglomeration prepared as part of the City Development Plan (CDP) under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
This will effectively raise Greater Kochi to ‘Metro’ status, and the country’s southern-most one, according to sources in the State Government.
Kochi, a city with a population of 13.55 lakh, was identified as one of the 63 cities under JNNURM. This refers to Kochi Urban Agglomeration, which has a population of 13.55 lakh as per Census 2001.
SMALLER AREA
The Kochi Urban Agglomeration comprises Kochi Municipal Corporation, five municipalities, 15 panchayats and part of three panchayats.
But the CDP presented by the KMC is prepared for a smaller area and population covering Kochi Corporation, two municipalities and 13 panchayats covering a population of 11.38 lakh and an area of 131.02 sq. km.
Three municipalities and 12 panchayats, which are part of Kochi Urban Agglomeration, have been excluded from the Kochi CDP area.
The 74th amendment of the Constitution defines a ‘Metropolitan area’ as having a population of a million or more, comprising one or more districts and consisting of two or more municipalities or panchayats or other contiguous areas, specified by the Governor by public notification.
INDUSTRIAL BELT
Practically, the western half of Kochi and satellite cities and towns including the industrial belt of Aluva-Elur-Ambalamugal; Thrippunithura, Thrikkakara, Thiruvankulam, Narakkal and North Parur will be brought under the Metropolitan Area. Urban centres under the existing Greater Cochin Development Area (GCDA) too would merge with the proposed Metropolitan Area.
There have also been suggestions that the Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery, an hour’s drive from the city, should be merged with the larger Metro Area.
The only hitch, according to sources, is that it would take at least six to seven years for the Metro Area to come into being after getting officially notified. No single Government can hope to see the proposal being taken to its logical conclusion.
