Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Making the most of the country’s first marina

STEERING A NEW COURSE: The proposed marina being set up by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation on the Bolgatty Palace Hotel premises in Kochi.

Thiruvananthapuram: The country’s first marina, being set up on the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC)-owned Bolgatty Palace Hotel premises in Kochi, is expected to draw more seafarers to the State.

The marina at Kochi will be the first in the world to have a golf course.

When complete, it will give a huge boost to tourism, providing a stopover for all yachts that go from the Middle East to the Far East and vice versa.

It is being built by the KTDC.

Another State-owned organisation, Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO), will take care of its engineering aspects.

The marina, between the Kochi Marine Drive and Bolgatty Island, will accommodate 50 luxury yachts in the first phase.

The Rs.8.25-crore first phase will be completed in 18 months. The Union government had already provided Rs.4 crores for the project.

The project will be eco-friendly too, in keeping with the ambience of Bolgatty Island. It provides docking, storage, maintenance and other facilities for the yachts.

A three-storey marina house, on the lines of the Dutch Palace with facilities for berthing yachts will be built on five acres on the north-eastern side of Bolgatty Palace.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan had laid the foundation for the project last week.

KTDC officials say they will manage the marina as an Independent Profit Centre. Water sports will get a boost with this marina. 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 the visitors to move around and see the yachts, health club, museum and guest rooms for high-end tourists have also been proposed.

The marina house will face the city and so, the topography of the Bolgatty Island system will not be affected. Fuel stations and facilities to provide water and electricity to the yachts will also come up on the side of the marina house.

Apart from giving a fillip to the KTDC’ premium hotel housed in heritage structure, the project will generate many jobs too, especially in repairing of boats and communication equipment.

The KTDC has plans to augment drinking water facilities, increase green cover and take up rainwater harvesting.

Facilities for berthing more yachts will be taken up in second phase.

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Making the most of the country’s first marina
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