The State Minister for Public Works, Mr Ebrahim Kunju, has assured that the proposal made by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to safeguard and preserve the old Mattancherry Bridge as a heritage monument has been accepted by the Government.

Speaking at a felicitation meeting organised by the Chamber, he said that the necessary permission to entrust the work to the Indian Chamber would be taken up in the ensuing Cabinet meeting.

The Minister also pointed out that the foreshore road connectivity between Fort Kochi and Alappuzha will soon become a reality and requested the Chamber to intervene and resolve the pending land acquisition in this regard. The perennial drinking water problem faced by the West Kochi would also be solved within 18 months as about Rs 11crore have been allotted under JNURM project, he added.

Replying to Chamber's demand to resolve the higher tariff charged by DP World compared to neighbouring ports, Mr K. Babu, the State Minister, assured that a high-level meet would soon be convened under the Chief Minister for speedier action of this issue. Mr Babu, who also participated in the felicitation meeting, said that a different approach has been taken by the present Government with regard to the Abkari Policy, and assured that fewer numbers of outlets only would be allotted.

Mr Babu also stated that the proposed Vizhinjiam port would be undertaken in all earnestness by the present Government.

Mr Dominic Presentation, MLA, assured that action would be taken soon to prevent frequent power breakdowns witnessed in the west Kochi area, especially at the onset of monsoon.

Dr John, who entered the Limca Book of Records for securing maximum number of professional degrees by an individual in India, was also honoured during the meet. Earlier, Mr P. Prathapachandran, President, Indian Chamber, delivered the welcome address.

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