[1]To launch fast-growing Kochi into the global metroscape, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) on Monday came out with ‘Vision 2030’, aimed mainly at bolstering the feeble infrastructure of the city.
Experts who were lined up for a discussion by GCDA chairman N.Venugopal gave a broad outline of the project on Monday.
The meeting, held at the GCDA headquarters, focused on two major aspects of development - developing the city as part of the Greater Cochin area and as a single metro city.
As many as 16 experts from various sectors attended the initial discussions. According to them, an agency with more autonomy to execute development projects in the greater Cochin area should be constituted. The meeting also mooted a comprehensive action plan for the city’s development.
Participating in the discussion, S. Krishna Kumar, former Ernakul-am district collector and chairman of GCDA, and noted architect and town planner Kuldeep Singh, stressed the need for the second phase of developing marine drive.
They recommended that 60 per cent of the reclaimed land for the marine drive second phase development should be used for setting up public utility projects while remaining 40 per cent can be used for commercial purposes.
As part of the marine drive development, there are plans to set up a world trade centre, international convention centre and entertainment zone.
The meeting also discussed developing satellite townships, a land bank, outer ring road and an international logistics centre.
Krishna Kumar said concern for environment should not be an obstacle in development. Prof Siv-asankara Pillai, an environmental expert remarked that authorities should abide by the Coastal Regulation Zone rules.
Eco sensitive areas should be avoided for construction activities, he said.
Better Kochi Response Group president S. Gopa-kumar said the focus sho-uld be on developing wat-er-front areas that did not fall under CRZ rules.
Meeting with local bodies soon to discuss Vision
The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) will convene a joint meeting of corporation mayor, municipal chairpersons and presidents of panchayats in the Greater Cochin area to discuss the recommendations of the initial meeting on Vision 2030.
The authority will sum up the recommendations and will discuss the same with the local body chiefs in a meeting to be convened within a fortnight.
A final decision will be taken after holding discussions with ministers, MLAs, MPs and government secretaries, said GCDA chairman, N Venugopal.
Before formulating a final sketch of the programme, GCDA will conduct a mega workshop in last week of July.
“Reputed architects, town planners, experts from across the country and political leaders of the state will be invited for the workshop.
Recommenda-tions of the workshop will be considered while giving a final shape to the Vision 2030,” added the GCDA chairman.
“The authority will give priority to projects like Thevara bund road, international exhibition centre and the entertainment zone at marine drive,” added Venugopal.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/marine-drivejpgcropdisplayjpg-864