Kerala - Kochi   

Tourism project hits GCDA plan

Anand Haridas

Marine walkway beautification against norms, says GCDA

DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES: A Tourism Department project to beautify the Marine Drive walkway has upset the GCDA design. - Photo: Vipinchandran

KOCHI: The concept of the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) to develop the Marine Drive in a planned manner is being upset by different agencies taking up projects. The latest being the Rs.80-lakh project by the Department of Tourism to beautify the 1.5-km stretch of walkway between Cheenavala Bridge and Rainbow Bridge.

The new venture, allegedly taken up without consulting the GCDA, has adversely affected the total planning process. An inspection done by Kuldip Singh, architect consultant for the GCDA, on January last had confirmed that the eastern side of the walkway had been narrowed down owing to the construction work. The width will be reduced to 4 m from the original 8 m, once the beautification is complete.

The beautification project included constructing tree planters and installing chairs, as it had been done at the High Court end of the Marine Drive. It has been pointed out that by doing so, the path would be rendered out of use for fire engines in case of emergencies arising on buildings on the western side.

This, according to an inspection team, is a serious violation of the emergency requirements of the area. The team has suggested that the Chief Fire Officer inspect the region and advise the GCDA on this issue.

Also, the construction of linear planters has obstructed free movement of people and also virtually acceded the land to owners of private buildings. It has been suggested that these planters be removed and redesigned to check unauthorised use of the stretch of land by private parties.

Commercial kiosks

The GCDA has also questioned the move by the Department of Tourism to put up commercial kiosks along the walkway and the move to construct a jetty to berth 10 boats in front of the GCDA Shopping Complex.

The GCDA has written to the State Government, demanding an immediate stay on the work of kiosks. "A decision on this could be taken only after considering things like security and total design of the area," said Antony Isaac, Chairman, GCDA.

It has been suggested that the boat jetty be shifted to the area near the Market Canal. There is no direct access to the jetty, as it is proposed now, from the Shanmugham Road. The commissioning of the jetty will only worsen the parking problem at the GCDA Shopping Complex. By relocating it, the open ground could be used for parking purposes, it has been pointed out.

"We have also asked all the building owners in the area to open the inner corridor, which will allow the public to walk from one end to the other without getting out. This has been agreed by all the owners in their agreement with the Authority," said Prof. Isaac.

The buildings that have come up in the stretch include an apartment complex and a bank. All these would be connected through inside once the corridor is opened and this will be of use to the general public during monsoon.

"A meeting of shop owners in the area was convened on Tuesday and everyone agreed with clearing the obstacles," said Prof. Isaac.

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