KOCHI: Sir Robert Bristow, the architect of Cochin Port, seems to have faded into oblivion. His contribution towards making Kochi a popular global port has also been forgotten.
There is hardly any event organised to pay respects to him. The only tribute to the engineer is the Robert Bristow Road in Willingdon Island, said International Forum for Cultural Heritage and Tradition (IFCHAT) president Austin Paul. IFCHAT, a voluntary organisation working towards restoring the glory of heritage buildings, has taken the initiative to commemorate the 131st birth anniversary of the legendary British harbour
engineer on April 16.
Austin expressed concern that the Cochin Port has not honoured the resolution passed at a meeting of the Port to erect a statue of Bristow here. The IFCHAT will pass a resolution at a meeting organised to honour the legendary engineer on April 16. The resolution will be passed at a meeting to be held in connection with the seminar organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bristow, who worked hard for nearly 20 years to make an approach channel from the deep sea to the inner harbour to enable ships to enter the safer harbour than be exposed to the violent sea.
The seminar will discuss the topic ‘The International Transshipment Container Terminal Vallarpadam and possible development of Cochin Port’ at the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chamber buildings, Mattanchery, at 5 pm on April 16. Paul Antony, chairman, Cochin Port Trust, will inaugurate.
The Port, which was under British rule since 1795, had seen little development despite its illustrious maritime history.
Bristow was the man who changed the face of Willingdon Island, which houses the Cochin Port and the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command. He is also noted for his initiatives in founding the Lotus Club.