Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Achuthanandan promises support for development of capital city

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on Saturday announced that his Government would extend all assistance and support to the initiatives taken by various quarters for the development of the capital city.

Inaugurating the annual convention of Trivandrum Management Association (TRIMA 2007) on `A New Vision-Capital Region Development' here, the Chief Minister said the capital city had immense scope for development, with the presence of institutions such as the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and reputed firms in the Information Technology (IT) sector and Travancore Titanium Products.

In his address, Mayor C. Jayan Babu said the need of the hour was to ensure development of the State capital in tune with the development of other cities and by retaining its culture and heritage. He said the city faced several problems in various sectors and the Government and the civic administration were taking steps to address them.

Chairman and managing director of Air-India V. Thulasidas, who delivered the special address, said the development of the International Container Transhipment terminal at Vizhinjam would bring about a sea change in the development of the capital.

Mr. Thulasidas said the development of Thiruvananthapuram international airport was going to be a major factor in the development of the city and neighbouring districts of Tamil Nadu. He said IT and tourism can generate more traffic and thereby attract more airlines to the State capital. The CMD of the national carrier said a `wholesale' campaign was needed to seize the opportunities and prevent the State capital from being left out. The TMA can take a lead in this endeavour, he added.

Samuel Paul, former director, IIM, Ahmedabad, delivered the keynote address. Chairman and managing director of Hindustan Latex M. Ayyappan presented the theme. President of TMA E.M. Najeeb and Secretary C.K. Jayachandran proposed the vote of thanks. The sessions on `Trivandrum as a Knowledge Hub,' `Booming leisure' and `Connectivity' were the highlights of the session attended by experts from various fields and management professionals.

Delivering the valedictory address in the evening, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T.K.A. Nair said the city needed an integrated plan for development. He pointed out that the social infrastructure like sewerage in the city was created decades ago. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs M. Vijayakumar presided over the function.

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

Stories in this Section

Work on aircraft maintenance base to begin in March
LDF meet focusses on fiscal crisis
PSC launches online system
Achuthanandan promises support for development of capital city
Enhancement in Plan funds sought
`Exempt city from green curbs'
Sudheeran flays policy
DCC chiefs: panel of names ready
All-party meeting on February 10
No locking of horns, this
School Principal dead
Around The City
In Thiruvananthapuram Today

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu