KOCHI: With the Cabinet that met on Wednesday failing to take a decision on giving Metropolis status to Kochi, the city’s wait to get elevated to the top league of cities will go on. The civic administrators of Kochi had earlier opposed the recent recommendation put forth by the UDF sub committee. They had pointed out that by simply adding two or three neighbouring municipalities and panchayats alone will not get the city the metropolitan status.
“The present recommendation to form Metropolitan area by adding Maradu, Thrikkakara and adjacent panchayats alone will not help Kochi to get the Metro city status. That is the reason why we had opposed the recommendation. Our plan is awaiting the nod from the state,” said GCDA chairman N Venugopal.
The Greater Cochin Development Authority had already submitted a proposal two years back before the state government for forming a Metropolitan Regional Development Authority with an urban agglomeration area covering 4,600 sq km under Kochi metropolis, which include the entire Ernakulam district, Chalakkudi, Kodungalloor and Vaikkom. Later the Chief Town Planing Officer’s office had removed Kothamangalam, Perumbavoor, Vaikkom and Thodupuzha as these areas come under agriculture belt.
Instead of these areas they added Cherthala into the list, and the total area was restructured to 3,400 sq km. The total population as per the revamped list was 36 lakh.
“In order to develop the greater Kochi Metropolitan area, proper studies should be conducted. On attaining the Metropolitan status, the greater Cochin area can enjoy benefits like direct funding from the Union Government and relaxations in CRZ norms. Hence, proper studies should be conducted in this regard,” he added.
The Cabinet also had approved the decision taken by the civic administrators to limit the number of divisions in Kochi to 74 for the upcoming local body elections.
“The decision by the government appointed sub-committee to include areas like Kalamassery, Cheranalloor, Thrikkakkara and Mulavukad to Kochi corporation limit was also opposed by the committee consisting of civic administrators. Hence, the number of divisions is likely to remain the same in Kochi corporation,” Venugopal added.
