KOCHI:The Marine Drive Walkway here would be christened after the late A P J Abdul Kalam at a function on Wednesday at 9 am. Governor Justice P Sathasivam will be the chief guest at the occasion, an official press release informed.
The GCDA authorities would complete by Wednesday the construction of a boundary around the tree planted nearly nine years back as directed by the late president A P J Abdul Kalam. The GCDA is planning to preserve the walkway and the trees as a tribute to the departed leader.
When Abdul Kalam touched down at the temporary helipad at Marine Drive as part of his visit here in 2006 December, he came to know that three trees had to be cut to allow the helicopter to land there. He readily directed the district collector to plant 30 trees to compensate loss of the Gulmohar trees felled for his security. Later, Abdul Kalam made it a point to inquire about the trees planted along the walk way and watered them, as a cheerful crowd looked on. As the state governor names the walkway after Abdul Kalam on Wednesday, it would turn out to be a befitting tribute to the great leader who was also a great lover of nature, the GCDA believes. A picture of the former president watering the plants would also be installed there.