Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

To draw more seafarers to the State

Marina ahoy: An impression of the proposed marina in Kochi.

Thiruvananthapuram: The work for the first phase of the country’s first marina to be set up in the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation-owned (KTDC) Bolghatty Palace Hotel in Kochi has been tendered.

A three-storey marina house, on the lines of the Dutch Palace and facilities for berthing 30 yachts will be built, as part of the Rs.8 crore-first phase, on five acres of land on the north-eastern side of the Bolghatty palace.

The work for constructing the marina house and the road from the first Goshree Bridge to the Bolghatty Palace had been tendered and would commence soon, a senior tourism official told The Hindu.

The Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO) are the project consultants for the first phase. The first phase of the marina to be managed by the KTDC is to be completed within two years.

The marina will be managed as an Independent Profit Centre. The marina is expected to draw more seafarers, travelling around the globe in yachts, to Kochi and will give an impetus to waters sports. Kochi is a favourite destination of seafarers as it is located between West Asia and South-East Asia.

A boardwalk— a wooden structure protruding into the backwaters— in front of the marina house for visitors to move around and see the yachts, health club, marina open-air museum, 18 guest rooms for high-end tourists have also been proposed as part of the project.

The marina house will face the city side and steps will be taken to ensure that the Bolghatty Island system is not affected in any way, the official said. Fuel stations and facilities to provide water and electricity to the yachts will also come up on the side of the marina house.

The marina will give a fillip to the KTDC’ premium hotel housed in a heritage structure, besides providing jobs to hundreds of men skilled in repairing boats and communication equipment.

The KTDC will also take steps to upgrade the environment by augmenting drinking water facilities, increasing the green cover by planting indigenous plants and taking up rainwater harvesting.

Facilities for berthing another 20 yachts and water-front facilities will be created during the second phase of the project.

“The tenders for selecting the International Consultant for the second phase will be finalised soon,” the official said.

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