GCDA, Kochi corporation to discuss laser show project today

Kochi Corporation officials will look into the documents to be submitted by the GCDA and decide on the future course of action, says Mayor Tony Chammany

Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) officials will meet Kochi Corporation officials on Tuesday to discuss the proposed laser show project at Rajendra Maidan.

Public space

This follows the debate over the use of public space by the authority for its project. The proposal of the authority had generated much heat as the CPI(M) and some other organisations had come out against the proposal. The critics of the project feared that people’s access to the public space would be denied once the project is implemented.

The project had also invited the wrath of LDF councillors at the Corporation Council meeting.

Mayor Tony Chammany had announced that corporation officials would inspect the site to find out whether any constructions had been carried out. He had also stated in the council that since the GCDA was a government agency, its representatives would be asked to make a presentation on the project.

GCDA Chairman N. Venugopal and officials of the authority are expected to meet the Mayor and his officials at the Mayor’s chamber at 12 noon. The authority officials are expected to hand over a site plan and related documents of the project.

Mr. Chammany said a decision on the site inspection would be taken after the meeting. The officials of the corporation will look into the documents to be submitted by the authority and decide on the future course of action, said Mr. Chammany.

‘Closed door meeting’

At the same time, CPI(M) councillor M. Anilkumar, who raised the issue in the council, said that it was not a matter to be discussed at a closed door meeting.

The authority should submit its plan and related documents to the corporation. The Town Planning Standing Committee and the Council should also consider the documents. If the Standing Committee and the Council were convinced that the proposal mooted by the authority is good for the city, it would be accepted, said Mr. Anilkumar.

He said that he would not be taking part in the discussion. Criticising the decision of the Mayor to convene the meeting, Mr. Anilkumar said that any discussion on the project could be held in the Corporation Council after the authority submitted the details for the inspection by the local body, he said.