Kerala - Kochi   

Stalemate continues at GCDA

Staff Reporter

Executive committee yet to be constituted

KOCHI: The delay on the part of the Government in constituting the new executive committee at the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has led to a stalemate in implementing projects.

Approval of the executive committee is required for projects involving policy decisions and many projects are kept on hold even though all the ground works have been completed.

The survey for the ring road, connecting Marine Drive to National Highway 17 and National Highway 47, is almost over. "The alignment is expected to be submitted in a week. The authority has proposed a full ring road along the periphery of the city," said Manuel Vivera, secretary, GCDA.

The 65-km road will start from Marine Drive and connect Vaduthala, Cheranalloor, Kothad, Chennur, Varappuzha, Malikapeedika, Alangad, Chengamanad, Athani, Puthencruz, Udayamperoor and join the National Highway 47 at Panangad. At present, the survey is being done for the first phase, which covers 9.5 kilometres.

The authority may carry out a site visit to confirm the alignment before finalising it. The present alignment requires eviction of 80-odd buildings. The site visit is planned to reduce eviction and bring down the cost.

Pending projects

The authority has completed the groundwork for projects including a desalination plant to solve the water crisis in West Kochi, roofing of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium and two shopping malls at Manappattiparambu on Build-Share-Transfer basis.

It has been offered 52.8 per cent of the developed area of the two plots at Manappattiparambu, for which open tenders were invited.

"Tenders have also been received for roofing of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium. But we cannot proceed till the project is approved by the executive council," said Mr. Vivera.

The other major projects include re-laying the turf of the stadium, swimming pool complex at Rameswaram, Pappan Smaraka Indoor stadium at Varappuzha and houses at Edathala.

"We have also expressed willingness to the Government to be an implementing agency for the proposed City Development Plan," said Mr. Vivera.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Soft drinks case referred to Division Bench
Portraying the colours of the monsoon
Stalemate continues at GCDA
Conserving mountain ungulates
Celebrating Onam with AIR
Wheat consignment from Australia arrives
Reception for Catholicos
Around the City
In Kochi Today

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu