The Hindu Business Line : Kochi port reviews plans for Volvo Ocean Race stopover

Kochi, Sept. 21 The Cochin Port Trust has convened a meeting here to review the arrangements being made by the Yachting Association of India, event managers and different departments of the port to host the India Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race.

The Chairman of the port, Mr N. Ramachandran, said that every possible action is being taken to make the 10-day Stopover experience a memorable event.

A total of Rs 30 crore is being spent for infrastructure development and upgradation of public facilities in Willingdon Island for the smooth conduct of the event.

Facelift

The infrastructure development includes the Race Village, which will be a special feature for the Ocean Race Stopover.

Extensive areas in the port, including public spaces around the Race Village, and the roads in the Willingdon Island are being beautified and given a facelift to match global standards.

An extensive 6,000-square metre, covered exhibition pavilion will function as a major area for public participation for various activities during the Stopover.

The construction work of the pavilion is progressing according to schedule and it would be completed by the end of October, he said.

Widening of roads, laying additional lines for power and water supply, reconstruction of jetties are also part of the major facilitation activities.

A mega stage for daily events, huge pavilions by Volvo and sponsors, Volvo’s simulator to experience the feel of sailing, food courts serving multiple global cuisines, etc, will be a major attraction during the stopover.

A major item of work in progress is the lengthening of the berth for boats/yachts in the Race Village area.

Though this was a planned project for the expansion of the port, it is being taken up at an accelerated pace to meet the exacting demands of the Volvo Ocean Race Stopover. The extended berth will be in a position to cater to nearly a dozen yachts. In future, the berth will be used by the Port Trust to berth cruise ships, he added.

with 42 during the last year. The Stopover is thus advancing the availability of facilities and infrastructure for handling large vessels for berthing. Four major international luxury cruise vessels will call at Kochi during the Stopover period. The event will attract 5,000 international tourists from these cruise liners, which will be an added attraction in the berths.

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