In a major policy change, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) will focus on infrastructural development works of the rapidly growing city rather than taking up real estate and housing projects.
GCDA chairman, N. Venugopal, told media persons here on Saturday that he would initiate steps to stop plans relating to the construction of housing complexes and residential apartments on GCDA property.
“As the first step, a permanent exhibition hall of international standards will be set up on the 12 acre land in front of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The paper work has already been initiated. Temporary exhibition sheds in the city have become safety concerns,” he said.
The authority’s land in several parts of the city has been encroached upon by individuals and commercial establishments and steps were afoot to reclaim them.
The Marine Drive walkway beautification was in the final stages and would be extended to the Goshree Bridge.
Another bridge on the model of a kettuvallom (houseboat) will be constructed over the railway canal near the KINCO jetty. The new walkway will be open to the public from May.
In an effort to decongest city roads, the authority plans to construct a new ring road from Chathiath to Varapuzha.
This will link Marine Drive to NH-17, providing an easy way out of the city for north-bound commuters. This 10.5 km long road will be the first phase of a 65 km road starting from Marine Drive and passing through the coastal areas for which it has the coastal regulatory zone authority’s approval, he added.
Other major infrastructure projects include a new bund road connecting Thevara to Thykoodam; evicting encroachers from Kaloor market and supporting the city corporation in developing the Thammanam-Pullepady road.
The authority’s total assets were worth Rs 20,000 crore with a yearly revenue income of Rs 22 crore.