KOCHI: increasing population, is facing. The only relief that soothes the tired and weary eyes of the city d weller is the Marine Drive. The beautiful spot holds the attention and admiration of many because of its beauty and peaceful ambience.
The buck, however, stops here. Nature has done its best to provide the ambience, however, it is district administration and the citizens who have to provide good maintenance and plan projects that would make Marine Drive more enchanting, feel the citizens of Kochi.
Construction of shelters are very necessary here. The need arises the most during the rainy season. Every plan that had been drawn up to beautify Marine Drive had conveniently forgotten the need for rain shelters. Also, it seems that the officials think that the city has only physically able citizens. They have not taken into consideration the handicapped and old citizens. There are walkways for them. The parking facilities and toilets are all areas that need immediate attention of the authorities. All these facilities will make Marine Drive into a traveller’s space and favourite hangout spot of the city.
The residents in the area pointed out that some of the projects like ‘Marine Drive Walkway Beautification’ mooted by the officials are not sufficient enough to revitalise the spot.
“The authorities have changed the tiles of the walkway three times. In the name of beautification all they are doing is reconstructing the walkway. This is unnecessary and a waste of money. The North part of Marine Drive has a great tourism potential. For that, good maintenance and embellishments are needed. But now they have fragmented the existing strong wall and replaced it with substandard one, which is not strong enough. If a group of people lean on it, there are chances that the structure may fall down,” said Krishnan Nair, a retired employee. Earlier, the short wall was strong and it provided both safety and sitting space. But now the space of walkway will be reduced with the installation of benches. The graceful mangroves in the sides, which should have been preserved, were cut down. Only few mangroves stand like silent monuments of nature.
It seems the authorities are not very bothered about enhancement process. Plants on the median will enrich the beauty but nothing has done so far. All that a person who visits Marine Drive can see is some wild grass growing on the median.
“The light from solar street lamps is insufficient. Therefore, no one can remain here after sunset. A boat jetty was constructed, but it didn’t serve any purpose. The jetty is has been completely abandoned now and it has become the center of anti-social activities,” said Joseph, a local resident.