The State Government is considering elevating the status of the city of Kochi, its commercial capital, as a metropolitan city.
Manjalamkuzhi Ali, minister for urban affairs, said this in reply to a calling attention motion moved by Hibi Eden in the State Assembly.
EXACTING STANDARDS
A survey had found that Kochi alone met the exacting standards of available infrastructure and facilities apart from population.
A Kochi Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (KMRDA) had been mooted as part of Government’s 100-day action plan. This was done with a view to exploiting the city’s various advantages for fast-tracking its overall development.
KMRDA overlooks an area of 4574.86 sq km housing an estimated population of 46.57 lakh. The draft proposal for declaring the KMRDA was submitted to the Greater Cochin Development Authority.
EXPANDED COVERAGE
The State Government had later referred this to the chief town planner for his comments. The latter had amended the draft and proposed inclusion of an additional 2033.27 sq area into proposed KMRDA.
An additional 34.39 lakh people in Mala, Kodungalloor, Angamali, Perumbavoor, Piravom, Kolenchery, Thalayolaprambu, Vaikom and Cherthala was sought to be brought under.
Meanwhile, Kochi Corporation has prepared a city development plan for Kochi and neighbourhood as part of JNNURM project. Rapid urbanisation is perceived to be the city’s major advantage, the minister said.
GATEWAY TO WORLD
All districts within the State and a few in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka look to the port of Kochi and Vallarpadam container terminal for conducting trade and commercial activities.
The busting IT hub of Kakkanad, the international airport, and peaking trade and commerce in the central business district add to city’s appeal.
Cochin Shipyard, proposed SmartCity and rail, water and air transport gateways are other major attractions. So do the industrial hubs of Aluva and Eloor, which all within easy distance, the minister said.