The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) plans to build an underground exhibition-cum-convention centre at the International Stadium in Kaloor, in two years.
Elaborating on the budget that was tabled here on Saturday, its Chairman N. Venugopal told media persons that there would be space for 500 stalls. Parking space for vehicles would be set up above the exhibition floor. Work on the Rs.80-crore project will begin in October. Rs.30 crore has been earmarked for the project in the budget. Around 1.50 lakh cubic metres of mud will be used for constructing the coastal ring road project.
The GCDA has also mooted a shopping mall at Manappattiparambu, Kaloor, on 2.78 acres, which will be executed on a build, share, operate, transfer basis. The agency will get 4 lakh sq. ft. or 30 per cent of the total area. The remaining area will be handed over later. A shopping complex has been mooted in Kalamassery too.
A sum of Rs.10 crore has been set apart for the Rs.45 -crore sports complex and indoor stadium at Mundamveli. The Dr. Ambedkar Stadium in the city will be renovated at the cost of Rs.4 crore. A shopping complex at Kakkanad and a commercial complex on the eastern entry of the Ernakulam Junction railway station too are on the cards.
Entertainment hub
The GCDA-owned 3.50-km-long Marine Drive is going to become the entertainment hub of Kochi.
A new tourist boat jetty which can accommodate 10 boats at a time will come up near the High Court boat jetty. The agency has begun demolishing seven of the 20-odd illegal jetties built using wooden planks.
It has also invited bids from firms to set up a dolphinarium in 130 cents of land on Marine Drive’s northern end.
