Cochin Port Trust, which has already begun the second phase of the water front walkway from Alexander Parambithara Bridge on Thevara-Willingdon Island Road to the BOT Bridge at Thoppumpady, expects to complete the Mini Marine drive within six months
KOCHI: A Mini Marine Drive? Well... if Cochin Port Trust’s (CPT) project meets no hiccups then Kochiites will get a new place to admire the beauty of the backwaters from. Port Trust, which has already begun the second phase of the water front walkway from Alexander Parambithara Bridge on Thevara-Willingdon Island Road to the BOT Bridge at Thoppumpady, expects to complete the project within six months. A beautiful new years gift for the city-zens.
Speaking to ‘Express’ CPT officer said the Rs 14 crore project, which received central assistance of Rs 10 crore, will not take more than seven months to complete. “We have already completed the construction of 490m of the walkway. The construction was carried out in two phases. We received financial assistance of Rs 1 crore from BPCL, Kochi and Rs 50 lakh from the Department of Tourism, government of Kerala for the work,” said the officer. He said the work on the remaining portion of the walkway, about 1,510 m, up to the Kannanghatt bridge is being carried out with the Rs 9 crore sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
“The MoT has released an amount of Rs 4.50 crore as the first instalment. The construction of the stretch will be finished within 6 to 7 months. The Central Government has also allotted Rs 10 crore for the purpose,” said the officer.
Once the project is over, other infrastructure like food courts, seating spaces, open air theatre, children’s play area and party lawn will be developed along the scenic walkway.
The proposal also envisages developing parking space and some recreational facilities, such as gazeboes for senior citizens, toilet facilities, seating arrangements, lighting facilities, pedestrian bridge across the canal, floating jetty to promote water sports, sculptures, rock garden, pergola, landscaping and trees etc. “Our main aim is to provide an exclusive
walkway for the public. The additional facility will be provided by the agency who will be maintaining the walkway,” said the officer. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have accorded sanction to lease this stretch of land, now owned by NH, for 30 years to the Cochin Port Trust. The Port Trust has been entrusted with developing the walkway.
“Though the construction of the walkway began three years ago it got delayed due to technical hurdles such as the ownership of the road. Since the stretch is part of the Madurai - Fort Kochi National Highway, NHAI owns the road. It took some time to complete the formalities regarding the transfer of the ownership of the road to CPT. Now all the hurdles have been cleared and we hope the walkway will soon be thrown open to the public,” said K V Thomas, MP.
C14cr
A new year gift
The project, which received central assistance of Rs 10 crore, will not take more than seven months to complete
490m
Construction completed
The length of the walkway constructed in two phases using Rs 1 crore from BPCL and Rs 50 lakh from Tourism Department