The Hindu : Kerala News : Focus on development, says GCDA chairperson

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Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala

Focus on development, says GCDA chairperson

Staff Reporter

M.C. Josephine to take charge today

KOCHI: Chairperson-designate of the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) M.C. Josephine has said she will focus on taking up developmental projects in concurrence with the local self-government bodies like the Kochi Corporation and the panchayats.

Ms. Josephine, a CPI (M) Central Committee member, will take up her new assignment as the chairperson of the GCDA on Wednesday.

"From what I have learnt, the authority has been more into real estate by selling land or developing properties. On the other hand, concentration should be on paving way for development to areas outside the city limits," she said.

The GCDA had already identified setting up six satellite townships in the budget proposals for 2007-'08. These townships are targeting specific economic groups.

The authority has earmarked Rs.24 crore for constructing social housing at Puthuvype. This complex was being planned for expected surge in population in Vypeen region in the light of the proposed mega projects like Vallarpadom Transhipment Container Terminal.

The authority has put Rs.10 crore and Rs.5 crore for cyber villas at Kakkanad and high-tech city at Kureekad.

A satellite township at Alangad along the Ring Road, neighbourhood development scheme at Mulanthururthy and NRI villas at Nedumbassery are other satellite township plans identified in the GCDA budget. The budget has outlined nearly 50 projects.

"This will be prioritised after studying about the different aspects, including viability," Ms. Josephine said.

There are suggestions like constructing IT Tower at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium and Cyber Tower at Gandhi Nagar. "IT has emerged as the main industry at present, and hence projects in tune with time will be taken up by the authority," she said.

Relevance of taking up works like roofing for the stadium will also be discussed. The budget has many auxiliary development projects for the stadium, including setting apart Rs.12 crore from own funds for roofing.

The budget proposal was approved by the State Government in the absence of the chairperson and general and executive councils. However, with the new chairperson assuming office and official notification released on the constitution of councils, the budget proposals would be taken up for detailed discussion soon.

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