KOCHI: The budget of Greater Cochin Development Authority GCDA ) for 2019-20 fiscal presented on Wednesday gives thrust on the construction of Kochi Economic City, a project that aims at developing townships in the suburbs which come under the limits of the development agency. The budget envisages a revenue of Rs 157.12 crore and an expenditure of Rs 114.39 crore while the surplus is estimated at Rs 42.72 crore.Despite dreaming big, the GCDA authorities seem to have done little homework. They didn’t have any clear cut idea on what would be the benefit of the project and how can it be implemented. “Kochi Economic City project would be implemented in Aluva, Perumbavoor and Angamaly municipalities. There is lack of availability of land for development in the city. While there is availability of land in the suburbs as the farmers and rubber planters have found agriculture less profitable due to various reasons. So, the land can be availed for developing townships in the suburbs,” said V Salim, chairman, GCDA.“Each township will consist of industrial units, healthcare institutions, educational institutions, tourism facilities, IT enterprises, sports facilities, service-oriented firms and residential areas. Palakkad-Coimbatore industrial corridor project announced by the state government will be supportive of Kochi Economic City,” Salim said. The budget earmarks Rs 1 crore for conducting preliminary studies in this regard.Setting up of a tourism village in Palluruthy village is one of the fanciful projects designed by the GCDA. Around 12.5 acres owned by GCDA in Palluruthy village would be used for the purpose. The GCDA authorities announced a budgetary allocation of Rs 1 crore for the purpose.Another project announced by the GCDA authorities is Entertainment Hub in Marine Drive on public-private partnership model. There would be open gym, family zone, entertainment zone and play area for children in the entertainment hub. The budget sets apart Rs 10 lakh for the preliminary works of the project. Digitization of asset record, which had figured in the budget for the past previous years, finds a place in 2019-20 budget as well. Unlike in the previous year, the GCDA has completed preparation of revised assets register up to 95% in the past two months, Salim said.Solar panels will be erected on the rooftops of all the buildings owned by the GCDA. The project would be implemented on PPP model with Cochin Smart City Mission Limited (CSML) as the nodal agency.Shopping complex at Manappattiparambu on PP model, open gym at Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium are another proposals in the budget. For renovation of Marine Drive Commercial Complex, there is a budgetary provision of Rs 65 lakh.The fund would be used for structural repairs, ensuring proper firefighting facilities, waterproofing of roofs and maintenance of water supply lines of the complex which was launched in 1985. For repair works of JNI stadium, Rs 80 lakh has been earmarked.

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