Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) chairman N.Venugopal said that no project of the GCDA would be implemented on the build, operate and transfer basis.
At a meet-the-press programme organised by the Ernakulam Press Club, he said that the recent decision to drop its plan to lease out the two and a half acre Manapattiparambu land to a private builder for development was in sync with this new policy of the GCDA. The agency had earlier proposed to give the land to a private builder on a 35-year lease. The private builder was to pay the GCDA Rs. 50 lakh per annum. In fact, it was very low given the actual value of the land. He said that the GCDA would undertake private-public partnership ventures in which the GCDA would have 60 per cent stake.
He said that a permanent and modern centre for holding exhibitions would be set up in the city. He said that exhibitions were now held in 200 days each year. In fact, they were often being organised in temporary structures. Holding of exhibitions in temporary structures was not really safe and also posed security threat. Therefore, the GCDA decided to establish a modern exhibition centre.
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Encroachers
He also said that the GCDA would take steps to evict the encroachers on its land at Panampilly Nagar. He pointed out that many including the private and government sector establishments had grabbed the land owned by the GCDA in Panampally Nagar.
Mr. Venugopal said that land acquisition proceedings would be expedited for the development of the Pulleppady-Thammanam road. The agency would also take up the development of the road from Chakiath church to Varapuzha, which was part of the ring roads being planned. Though the road passed through the Coastal Regulation Zone area, the GCDA had obtained necessary clearance for development of the road.
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The development of the Bund Road from Thykoodam to Thevara would also be taken up. The State government has been requested to expedite the acquisition of the land for the first phase of the development. He said that the beautification of the walkway from the Marine drive to the Goshree bridges would be completed by May.