Preliminary work on the second phase of Marine Drive will begin in a week’s time, said chairman of Greater Cochin Development Authority N. Venugopal here on Sunday. He said that two agencies, possibly government agencies, would be appointed to prepare a detailed project report and an environment impact assessment study.
Mr. Venugopal was speaking to reporters after a team of engineers and architects visited the proposed site for the second phase of Marine Drive on Sunday. Kuldeep Singh, architect behind the first phase of Marine Drive, the iconic landmark of Kochi, was part of the team that visited Marine Drive on Sunday. MLA Hibi Eden was also present.
The second phase of the Marine Drive will follow the model of the first. Around 600 acres of backwaters would have to be reclaimed to realise the 10-km walk-way and leisure areas between Chathiath and Varappuzha. The money accruing from the project will go into building the Vaduthala roundabout and other facilities in the nearby areas that will help decongest the traffic situation in the area.
