The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has shelved some of its major projects, which found mention in the 2015-16 budget but were missing in the latest budget owing to reasons ranging from feasibility to practicality.
A one-kilometre circular mini train at an investment of Rs.2.50 crore proposed as a major potential tourism attraction has been shelved. The four-bogie train with each having a capacity to accommodate 25 people was to chug along an eight-feet wide rail. It was to start and end at the Kinco Jetty at Marine Drive.
“We dropped the project as it will consume considerable open space at Marine Drive,” GCDA chairman N. Venugopal said.
A sports complex proposed on five acres at Mudamveli at an investment of Rs.10 crore complete with a shopping mall, a park, a swimming pool, a walkway, volleyball and basketball courts, and a gymnasium has also met a similar fate. The environmental objections to such a facility on reclaimed land put paid to the agency’s design.
The GCDA has also decided not to pursue an apartment project conceived as a joint venture with private parties on 64 cents of its land at Gandhi Nagar. Out of the expected investment of Rs.20 crore, the GCDA’s share was limited to Rs.10 lakh.
It was a conditional project, which the agency had plans to pursue only if it earned more than what it could have earned on selling the land. Obviously, the GCDA has found it not feasible after the final analysis. The proposal for a multi-level parking facility at Marine Drive had also faced a stumbling block. The existing parking lot could not be developed for the purpose after it was pointed out that such a move would obstruct a clear view to the western side of Marine Drive.
Also, there had been a change of plan with regard to the studio apartments constructed by the GCDA at Kakkanad. “The idea was to sell all 25 apartments. We have now decided to rent out the apartments since we could not find buyers in the face of stiff competition from private players,” Mr. Venugopal said.
Meanwhile, some projects like the helium balloon and the market renovation at Kaloor have overshot the initial schedule and are now expected to be implemented only the next financial year.
