The development of water metro along with the Kochi metro project, completion of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi highway, Vyttila and Kundannur flyovers, and the Sabari rail connectivity were among the suggestions that topped the list of priorities drawn up at the development seminar, ‘Mission Kochi’, on Ernakulam district, organised by the Left Democratic Front here on Wednesday.
Setting up the Kerala cluster of universities with Kochi as its hub and improving standards at schools with emphasis on localised efforts were the other suggestions that came up during the seminar.
The Kochi-Kodungalloor heritage conservation project, cruise vessel park, coordinated efforts in areas such as education and healthcare, modern and well-equipped anganwadis with 10 cents of land each and proper marketing of Kudumbashree products were among the proposals.
Development of a hub for organic vegetable cultivation and setting up a statutory body for overseeing the progress of pokkali rice cultivation were the other suggestions. The proposals will be submitted to the government within two days.
Experts who attended the seminar were of the view that public sector companies should be allowed to leverage their land, and that the Travancore Cochin Chemicals should have open access to electricity. Provision of Rs.100 crore for the second phase of the InfoPark project and the early completion of the Amballoor Electronic Park too figured in the discussions.
Periyar authority
Experts also felt the setting up of Periyar and Vembanad authorities would help speed up the rejuvenation of water bodies. The seminar also proposed a drinking water project at Kalamassery.
